Red Bull’s Max Verstappen is excited to return to Zandvoort for his “special” home race at the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix.
Verstappen currently lies third in the standings with a 97-point deficit to championship leader, Oscar Piastri, after the summer break with a maximum of 274 points left across the final ten rounds, but the reigning four-time champion’s title defence is realistically all but mathematically over.
Verstappen however was relieved to have had a summer break after a chaotic July for Red Bull saw Christian Horner sacked as Team Principal and replaced by Laurent Mekies, whilst the team took victory in the Belgian Sprint prior to a tough ninth-placed finish in Hungary.
“It has been a good summer break, relaxing and spending time with family and friends. It was good to recharge and reset and we head straight to Zandvoort for the first race back.”
Verstappen is therefore hopeful that the home fans can create “a sea of orange” to motivate him against the papaya-coloured McLaren cars who are favourites for a second consecutive victory at Zandvoort, after Lando Norris ended Verstappen’s winning home streak in 2024.
“As my home race it is always a special race for me; the atmosphere is amazing and we always have such great support. Driving past a sea of orange when you are racing is an incredible feeling and I am looking forward to being back.
“To mark this, I will be wearing my Orange Lion helmet, special cap and boots. Zandvoort is an old school circuit with quite a unique layout and a lot of fast corners.”
Rain however is forecast to affect the weekend’s action but Verstappen is cautiously optimistic.
“It will be a tough race and it looks like the weather might make things tricky but let’s see what happens.”
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