Dutch Grand Prix: Podium example

orange sky,
orange sea,
orange greens,
Orange camel.
orange mothers
Orange boys
orange songs
They sing orange.

If on other circuits all riders are supported to different degrees, then in Zandvoort there is only one hero. Last year the orange smoke from the fireworks from the Dutch fans at the start of the Grand Prix was so thick that the riders were even asked if it bothered the pilots?

Max Verstappen was born in Belgium but considers himself Dutch and performs under a Dutch license. For him this is the second home Grand Prix in a row, after the triumph in Spa only the victory is expected of him. In addition, Max started from pole last year, led most of the distance and won the Dutch Grand Prix that was back on the calendar.

The stage also returned to the calendar against the backdrop of Verstappen’s success, so he can take it as personal. In 2021 he took his seventh win of the season at Saanfdort, taking the lead in a fierce title fight, and has now won nine Grand Prix, leaving his rivals far behind.

Who remembers that five months ago, after the Australian Grand Prix, Verstappen was 46 points behind Leclerc. Charles has since won just one race and Max has won eight, and a 93-point lead over teammate Pérez and 98 points over Leclerc leaves no doubt about the title holder. The only question is, on which circuit it will be won. If the momentum continues, this could already happen in Suzuka.

Surprisingly smoothly this season is being formed for Red Bull Racing. And the car drives like it’s on rails, and the team works flawlessly. A few issues with the fuel pump at the start of the season, but then – no chance for rivals.

When a potential threat emerged, for example in the form of technical guidelines from the FIA, Red Bull aggressively pushed for a postponement, preparing the necessary solution – and not taking a step back, as rivals hoped, but two steps forward, which could take the weekend confirmed in Spa.

In the spring many wanted to see Ferrari’s success, many Scuderia fans were hopeful, but team boss Mattia Binotto admitted quite early on that the team would not be able to compete for the title this year. Then it was seen as a manifestation of weakness, now it is clear that this is just a fact.

It is totally incomprehensible, allowing Ferrari to beat Red Bull Racing. The Scuderia is behind everything. And that lag is almost impossible to compensate, because the front runners are not standing still either.

The upcoming Dutch Grand Prix is ​​the second in a series of three stages that will complete the European leg of the season. Then Monza, and left after a break following the cancellation of the race in Sochi, a triple series of two stages in a row: Singapore – Japan, USA – Mexico and Brazil – Abu Dhabi.

The Formula 1 leadership is seriously reforming the championship. Sometimes it seems that these are changes for the sake of change, so that shareholders have a sense of constant development. The usual weekend format changes, the calendar becomes more and more regional and loses historic stages.

Old fans don’t like change, so the old crowd is shrinking, not just because of age. They are being replaced by new viewers – along with how the emphasis is shifting from sports to the show. They will fill most of the grandstands in Zandvoort, circle after circle in orange smoke with a “wave” watching Max Verstappen’s car pass by. Every era has its idols.