Max Verstappen Ahead Of The Dutch Grand Prix

Max Ahead Of His Home Race

Max shares his thoughts ahead of his first home race in Formula One.

It’s

finally

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Max Wearing His Special Edition Cap

Sunday 5 September will see Formula One return to Zandvoort for the first time since 1985, meaning that no driver in the current line-up has raced there in F1, so it’s going to be a fantastic weekend and Max can’t wait.

It’s been a long time since Formula One came to Zandvoort, so I’m definitely looking forward to it.

“I’ve only raced at Zandvoort once, during Formula 3,” said Max. “It’s been a long time since Formula One came to Zandvoort, so I’m definitely looking forward to it. The track has changed a little bit with a few corners adjusted since I last raced there.”

The changes include new banking at turn 14, which is an impressive 18 degrees, and Max thinks it’s going to be a great circuit, “The track is going to be fast. It might be a bit difficult to overtake, but it will be really rewarding. When I raced in F3 some of the corners were really enjoyable, so with the added grip and power in an F1 car it’s going to be great. I think it’s going to be like Suzuka in terms of building up to qualifying – which will be very fast. It’s an old-school track where mistakes will be punished,” explained Max.

Although no current driver on the grid has raced at Zandvoort in an F1 car, Max is the only driver who has been on the updated circuit. “I’ve been there a few times with Red Bull for show runs in an old F1 car, so I have driven a few laps on the updated track in an F1 car which could be useful on the first few laps.”

I like to see people having a good time and it would be amazing to win in front of the Orange Army.

We’ve seen the Orange Army trackside for several seasons now. They stream into Spa and the Red Bull Ring in their thousands, but this will be different. This is their home track, and Max can’t wait to see the sea of orange. “It will be special to have a race in the Netherlands in front of my home crowd,” said Max. “It was amazing to see so many fans supporting us in Austria and Belgium and I hope we can put on a good show for everyone in the grandstands this weekend. It always puts a smile on my face when I drive out the garage and see them having fun as well. I like to see people having a good time and it would be amazing to win in front of the Orange Army.”

Orange Army Showing Their Colours In Spa

Max will be hitting the Zandvoort track for the first time on Friday 3 September – you can follow all the action on our Race Station.