Max Verstappen has been racing in the premier class of racing for several years, and everyone who bumps into him notices the craze he causes. After all, it is difficult to ignore the enthusiasm of the Dutch fans, because they appear all over the world to cheer their fellow countryman to victory. Carlos Sainz and Pierre Gasly rode alongside the Dutchman a few seasons ago, before his dominant period started, and they already felt that Verstappen would become a great.
Verstappen’s talent can no longer be disputed, and his dominance this season has gone even further. In recent seasons, Dutch fans have loved their fellow countryman, and not without reason. The influence that Verstappen has on the sport week in and week out is incredible, and without any form of opposition he is racing to shatter every record this season. It is therefore not surprising that he is so popular among the fans, as his former teammates also notice. Gasly and Sainz witnessed the impact that Verstappen has on motorsport, and cannot help but emphasize how special this new great is.
Verstappen’s popularity is no surprise according to Sainz and Gasly
In Zandvoort, in front of an audience full of Dutch fans, both gentlemen emphasized what kind of atmosphere the Dutchman has around him, Formula1.com quotes. According to Sainz, who is behind the wheel of the Ferrari car this season, Verstappen was never short of rage. ‘I think there is one thing that Max (Verstappen, ed.) never lacked, and that was his popularity. That craze even existed before his Formula 1 debut, because when he still drove in Formula 3 he already had a lot of fans. He already came to Formula 1 with a lot of fans.’ However, that was not surprising, according to the Spaniard. ‘It really doesn’t surprise me, because I’ve been seeing this craze since I made my debut with him in 2015. I’ve always understood it, because he really is a special talent who has always managed to perform well.’
Gasly, the Frenchman who currently drives for the Alpine team, also agrees with Sainz’s opinion. He also emphasizes the history he has with the Dutchman. ‘It was clear from a young age, when we were still involved in karting together, that the craze surrounding him was different from others.’ The Frenchman also emphasizes that his father, Jos Verstappen, played a major role in his son’s popularity. ‘It quickly became clear, as he got better and better, that there was more attention and focus for him, and that was also fueled by his name and his achievements.’ Gasly also sees that one thing is clear: ‘The way he ended up in Formula 1 and got his place at Red Bull Racing was a harbinger of everything that would come afterwards. But it is no surprise that it is so popular, especially in the Netherlands.’
