The Dutch Grand Prix returns to the calendar 36 years later, at the Zandvoort circuit, the track, next to the dunes of the Dutch coast, has been completely renovated by the Italian Jarno Zaffelli, which has included two spectacular banked curves that promise strong emotions this weekend. But the tension is not alone on the track. In the stands, with capacity still reduced by the pandemic, 70,000 fans hope to turn the grand prize into ‘hell’ for the World Cup leader, Lewis hamilton.
Pressure cooker
Fans of ‘Mad’ Max have been waiting impatiently for the home grand prize. They do not forgive Hamilton the Silverstone crash. Neither does the ‘strike’ of Bottas at the start of the Hungarian GP, which totally penalized Verstappen. As a result of both incidents, the Red Bull driver ended up giving up the lead before the summer holidays. If he wins this Sunday, the leadership will regain it. The Zandvoort stands will be a real ‘pressure cooker’, despite the fact that the organizers and the FIA have sent messages trying to calm things down.
“In a football game when you play at home, the opponent will be booed and it is not up to the club to go to the loudspeakers and say ‘guys, you can’t boo’, because naturally it will happen,” he said. Verstappen Thursday. Your advice to Lewis? “Cover your ears and not listen. If you don’t respond, that’s the most powerful message you can give them, “he snapped. Max.
Hamilton , who appeared dressed in orange in the paddock, he takes it with philosophy: “Boos? “It’s something to expect, we’ve already seen orange fans whistling at me elsewhere. I never would and luckily British F1 fans don’t either, but I get it, it’s part of the passion. I liked this country, Amsterdam is one of the best cities and I know that I have fans here. Even if they are a very small portion in the stands. This is sport, I try to change that energy and make it positive for driving. “
Lewis also has his legion of faithful. This Friday, the sky over Zandvoort lit up with a banner that read: “7 times world champion. Just lovely & rdquor ;. A British fan has spent 1,800 euros to rent a plane to convey his message to the Dutch fans. Too bad it didn’t bring too much luck to Hamilton, who dominated free practice 1 but just started the second free practice session he had to stop due to a failure in his Mercedes, causing the second red flag of the day.