Orange alert on Max Verstappen grandstand

Published on 07 July 2016 by Mike Motilall

Since his tumultuous entrée in Formula 1 in 2015 and winning the Spanish Grand Prix in May, the popularity of Max Verstappen has no boundaries. Prior to the start of the new season, some 1.000 Max Verstappen-fans were given the possibility to attend the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring for a reasonable price.

Red Bull Netherlands, Sportstadion and Verstappen management joined hands and made it possible that a genuine Max Verstappen grandstand was brought to fruition in Spielberg, on which all the fans of the young Red Bull-talent could cheer for him together.

Jeroen Huis in ’t Veld from Sportstadion, visits the grand stand a few times during the weekend and on Saturday we briefly speak with him. “The madness around Max is enormous and I already see that it will only get bigger in the future. Together with Red Bull Netherlands and Max’ management, we wanted to do something special. And looking around me, I kinda think we pulled it off.”

Everyone that bought a ticket, also got an orange Max-shirt. And Sunday in particular, the Verstappen grandstand looked like one big orange sea. Max was quite charmed by it all: “I am very honoured that such a special grand stand was brought about. And even more that it is so packed. It makes me feel I am doing something good.” A little after ten, the headliner pays a visit to ‘his’ grand stand. After having given some autographs and making a selfie in front of the entire crowd, the fast Dutchman needs to get a go on to prepare himself for the race.

The atmosphere is quite pleasant on the stand and the first moment for a cheer on Sunday, is during the Legends Parade. During this warm up for the Formula 1-race, some big names in motorsports, including Jos Verstappen, drive a few laps in a BMW Procar M1. Because these cars are by now more than 35 years old, it’s not really possible to race with them. So they are only for a few minutes on the circuit.

Other famous names on the list of the Legends Parade are the likes of Niki Lauda, Gerhard Berger and Jan Lammers. At the start, Verstappen sr. wastes no time and, after a great getaway off the line – starting from fourth – he leaves the rest trailing even before the first corner.

The track is for a large part quite visible from the Verstappen grandstand and also a large TV-screen opposite the crowd aids in keeping track of all the action on the circuit. After half a lap, Jos is leading his rivals by more than 100 meters already. Accelerating and very late braking is something “the Boss” is still quite capable of. To much delight of the many fans on the stand, he dominantly wins the short race.

Later that afternoon, the crowd on the Verstappen-stand goes wild when Max finishes in second place after a blood churning Formula 1-race. People start hugging each other in pure disbelief and utter joy. This lights up the party atmosphere once again. Max passionately waves at his fans when he drives by during his in-lap. Many fans then leave the stand for what it is and make to the straight to be present there during the podium ceremony.

The 1.000 happy fans, who were lucky enough to have gotten a ticket, will, for sure, look forward visiting another Grand Prix. “We would like to, if at all possible, extend on this. The enthusiasm for it is enormous. And it will only get bigger as long as Max keeps putting the pedal to the metal like this”, says Jeroen Huis in ‘t Veld.