THE last time that a Grand Prix was held at Zandvoort was in 1955, the year that Mercedes-Benz conquered all the opposition, and since then the KNAC, who organise the race, felt they could not afford the capital outlay to run a World Championship event. However, this year preliminary work was started early and there was sufficient financial backing to enter the Dutch GP once more in the list of races for Formula 1 to count for the World Championship.
Coming as it did just one week after Monaco it meant that the Grand Prix teams had to hustle about to get ready in time, but with the first practice being on Saturday it was not impossible and all the teams from Monaco were present. Three of the four Vanwalls at Monaco were flown back to England from Nice the Monday after the race and were overhauled at the factory and flown out to Calais, by which time the transporters had driven up from the South of France. The BRM, Lotus and Cooper teams did not return home travelling direct from Monte Carlo to Zandvoort, while the Ferrari team went back to Maranello for service, as did the private Maseratis.
Mike Hawthorn driving the Ferrari Dino 246 in 5th position, leads Jean Behra, BRM P25 in 3rd position
