The Dutch pilot of Red Bull Racing, Max Verstappen, led during the second training session before the Dutch Grand Prix of Formula 1 at the Zandvoort circuit, Western Netherlands, on August 29, 2025. (Photo by John Thys / AFP)
It is simply impossible to avoid Max Verstappen in Zandvoort aan Zee, the seaside complex that hosts the Dutch Grand Prix F1.
Fans aboard the “Max Express”, a special train renowned for the Grand Prix. Leaving the station, the first thing they see is a huge trailer filled with Verstappen goods.
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“Dive Into the Sea of Orange” reads a display panel at the entrance to the circuit, a reference to the hundreds of thousands of fans of “Oranje” applauding on Verstappen, undoubtedly the best star in Dutch sport known in the world from Johan Cruyff.
But for once, the quadruple world champion comes at his home or favorite Grand Prix for the race, nor in the running for another title.
Like the rest of the grid, his Red Bull found himself drawing powerless following the McLaren team entirely dominant this season, with Verstappen Cast Andrift.
“No, not really,” said the famous Verstappen Direct when he was asked if he still had objectives for this year championship.
“Just try to get the most out of it.”
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The leader of the train championship, Oscar Piastri, of almost 100 points, even the most ardent Verstappen fan would have trouble saying that their man has a realistic shot.
Verstappen has an enviable record in Zandvoort, winning each race since it was reintroduced to the Grand Prix circuit in 2021 – until last year.
The 2024 edition was a miserable weekend for Verstappen, while turning his car in a wet practice and dragged behind Lando Norris of McLaren in what many in the paddock considered a potential change in the guard.
He even suffered the indignity of Norris mocking him, shouting “simply charming” while he crossed the line – the celebration sentence of the Verstappen brand.
‘Energy waste’
Ironically, with the deactivated pressure, he seems more relaxed this year, joking with his colleagues drivers and Joshing with journalists during press conferences before the breed.
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When he was asked what it was to come to Zandvoort as a relative foreign, he said: “It does not make sense to me to be frustrated or to cry about it, because it is just a waste of energy.
“I think we just need to look at the car and the operation and how we can move forward in the future and be better. This is what we are doing now. ”
And if there is one thing that the rest of the grid knows by a bitter experience, it was never to harm Verstappen, who took the checkered flag on 53 of the 90 races of the Grand Prix disputed between 2021 – his first championship victory – and 2024.
Only a stone throwing of the North Sea coast, Zandvoort is known for his changing time and his rain is scheduled for the three days of the race weekend – conditions in which Verstappen excels.
“There could also be time that also happens. It always creates a little chaos, so we just need to see what’s going on,” said Verstappen with an ironic smile.
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Certainly, his fans hope for a “max miracle”.
The flags and photos Verstappen border the beach promenade which takes fans with orange t-shirts “Max is back” from the station to the circuit.
Dressed in a Red Bull Replica shirt, Verstappen’s fan, Gwenny Somberg, said she was praying for the rain on Sunday to even go up the playing field.
“There is always a chance with Max,” the 28 -year -old software engineer told AFP.
She said that the fact that other teams had caught up with her hero had in fact made the formula one more interesting for her.
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“From the moment I entered Formula 1, Max won. Now, it’s a little more realistic and it makes him even more exciting,” she said.
