Whiting inspection says Assen needs small changes to host F1
The Assen circuit in Holland has moved a step closer to its ambition of holding a Dutch Grand Prix, with Formula 1 race director Charlie Whiting saying that the track would need just relatively small changes to hold a race.
Whiting visited the TT Circuit Assen in the Netherlands last week for a track inspection, with the venue chasing the Grade F1 licence it would need to hold a grand prix.
According to a statement issued on Friday, Assen chiefs said that following the "thorough inspection", Whiting's verdict was that only a few minor changes were required for the FIA to be happy it could hold an F1 race.
The necessary changes would mainly involve adding extra kerbstones, guardrails and Tecpro barriers at certain points around the track.
The circuit itself would not require any major changes so the layout could remain unchanged, something that is important because track chiefs had said they would not be interested in holding an F1 race if it had a negative impact on its hosting of the Dutch MotoGP event.
Whiting's track inspection followed a preliminary assessment by the FIA. In December, a computer simulation already indicated that the TT Circuit Assen meets the Grade 1 safety requirements set by the FIA in terms of layout and width of the track.
Arjan Bos, chairman of the TT Circuit Assen, said: "It's extremely pleasant to hear that Charlie Whiting is also very happy with the track, the modern facilities and the level of maintenance.
"His positive judgement is an important step in the right direction to get Formula 1 back to the Netherlands, but we are not there yet. Far from it.
"The next step would be for the FOM to pay a visit to the TT Circuit Assen. This will likely happen in the near future."
Formula 1 commercial chief Sean Bratches told Motorsport.com last year that he would be interested in bringing the Dutch Grand Prix back on the calendar, but was understood to favour a street circuit venue in one of the country's major cities.
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