An orange party is underway on the sand dunes of Zandvoort, and the bitter North Sea rain has done little to dampen the mood among the crowd with Heineken 0.0 in hand.
The script has apparently already been written for Max Verstappen. The Dutch hero returns to his home country in pursuit of a ninth consecutive Formula 1 victory, a feat Sebastian Vettel achieved alone a decade ago.
What could possibly go wrong for the two-time world champion after creating a class divide between himself and his competition during this dominant campaign?
Of course this is Formula 1 and nothing is guaranteed. Earlier this week, Daniel Ricciardo, Verstappen’s former team-mate who dramatically exited Sunday’s race after breaking his wrist in practice, commented on the Dutchman’s unstoppable form.
“I think you definitely get to a place where… you grow confidence and find the rhythm,” he shared Mailsport. “We see it now with Max with his confidence in the car, it’s almost effortless.
Max Verstappen took another pole position as he attempted to win his ninth race in a row
Refurbished two years ago, the short, fast circuit revolves around hair-raising slopes where speeds can reach up to 330 km/h
Verstappen’s former teammate Daniel Ricciardo was forced to miss the race weekend after sustaining a wrist injury in practice on Friday
“When you get into this rhythm, I think there’s a flow, but you can’t take it for granted because every song is different.”
Nothing beats Zandvoort on the F1 calendar. The short, fast circuit, which was rebuffed two years ago, winds around hair-raising slopes where speeds can reach up to 330 km/h. It’s the kind of track that’s tailor-made for a driver as fearless as Verstappen, and it’s ready to deliver.
Seventeen kilometers away, in Amsterdam, a palpable anticipation has reached the city’s famous canals and reached the hearts of Verstappen’s followers ahead of this pre-coronation, giving him all the more motivation to reach the top step of the podium.
It is difficult to escape the influence of the Dutch here. Billboards of Verstappen are scattered throughout the city with a bottle of Heineken 0.0 in hand and an ear-to-ear grin on his face.
The hordes of fans who make the short bike ride from Haarlem to the coast whiz past houses daubed with Dutch and Red Bull flags. Those choosing to dodge the rain will take to the metro – where the train to Zandvoort has been renamed ‘Max Express’ this weekend only.
Make no mistake: Verstappen is the main event and the other 19 drivers are just the supporting cast.
As the rain pours down from the sky, the orange disciples gather in the grandstands around the circuit, a melting pot of sound simmering and ready to explode to life.
The scorching downpour can’t silence this cacophony as Verstappen roars out of his garage for qualifying. Session One: P2. Session Two: P1. Barring a shocking lap from Alex Albon or Oscar Piastri, the Dutchman is well on his way to a place at the front of the grid.
But unfortunate crashes for Logan Sargeant and Charles Leclerc bring a pause to proceedings. When the two collide, red flags are waved, the drivers are called, but the party goes a step further in the stands.
The Zandvoort public was loud during the opening days of the weekend
The two-time world champion enjoys incredible support at his home Grand Prix of Zandvoort
Verstappen delivered another great performance, taking Lando Norris (left) to pole position on the grid
In true Dutch fashion, electronic remixes of Hey Jude, Let It Be and Sweet Caroline are blown through the circuit. The masses react en masse, singing and dancing with full enthusiasm – the mood is cheerful, but not drunk.
Back on the track, and we’re almost at the boiling point as the cars emerge for one last shot at P1. Here comes Max, who rounds the last corner and sends a Mexican sound wave all the way down the straight. He crosses the line… 1:10.567!
Those unfamiliar with this boisterous mob would be forgiven for comparing the sound that followed to a scene from a recent Christopher Nolan movie, but no, this is the Orange Army at its deafening climax. A hush descends as Lando Norris follows, but he doesn’t bother the king as he crosses half a second slower, and a second booming cry is heard.
Verstappen, with the proud face of a man who has just climbed the top of a mountain, beamed: “The pressure is always there to perform, but when you pull it off it’s incredible.”
On Sunday, the fans will make the same journey again. I hope they leave on Cloud Nine.
Max Verstappen is the best driver who does not drink thanks to Heineken 0.0