Max Verstappen’s record breaking heroics earns royal applause from Dutch King following rain guzzling Dutch GP
King Willem-Alexander attended the Dutch GP along with his family to cheer Max Verstappen on.
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Max Verstappen and King of Netherlands, Willem-Alexander at the Dutch GP (Credits: Autoweek)
Max Verstappen’s reign in the 2023 season has been nothing short of spectacular. With his third championship title on the horizon and records shattering like broken speed limits, the Red Bull driver is undoubtedly rewriting the sport’s history books. The Dutchman earned accolades worldwide, and King Willem-Alexander holds a deep sense of pride in Max Verstappen as well.
Verstappen, now the most successful Dutch F1 driver, has unquestionably placed the Netherlands on the grand stage of F1. Verstappen’s journey to glory reached a crescendo during the 2023 Dutch GP. He seized pole position and navigated through the changing weather conditions to win his 11th race of the season. He is now a whopping 138 points clear of his teammate, Sergio Perez and can wrap up the championship as early as in 3 races time.
The sweet taste of victory was made even sweeter by the overwhelming support of a massive, passionate home crowd that flocked to the circuit to cheer for their racing hero. In the midst of this electric atmosphere, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, alongside Queen Máxima and their family, graced the Dutch Grand Prix with their regal presence. Notably absent was Princess Ariane, who had embarked on her studies at the United World College Adriatic in Italy.
King Willem-Alexander, speaking to the Telegraph Netherlands lauded Max’s ambassadorial role for the nation, stating, “What an ambassador for our country Max is.” He also praised the event organizers for their extraordinary efforts, saying, “It’s amazing what the other people who made this possible have put up. Such a great party with all the music and other spectacle in addition to racing.”
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King Willem-Alexander hails Netherlands as an ‘example to the rest of the world’
The Dutch Grand Prix faced challenges as local taxi drivers encountered unexpected restrictions from Zandvoort’s municipality. These limitations on taxi operations during the race weekend, with exclusive pass-through certificates for residents and businesses, left many drivers, especially from Haarlem, in uncertainty. In a nod to the nation’s sustainable values, King Willem-Alexander lauded the widespread use of bicycles and public transport by racegoers, declaring, “The Netherlands is an example for the rest of the world.”
In a majestic display of unity and support, the Dutch Royal Family, including Princess Amalia and Princess Alexia, joined Countess Luana at the Zandvoort circuit. Luana, daughter of the late Prince Friso and Princess Mabel, brought a poignant note to the festivities, having tragically lost her father in a skiing accident in 2012.
In conclusion, the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix was a momentous occasion, showcasing Max Verstappen’s unrivaled dominance and the passionate support of the Dutch people. This triumph marked Verstappen’s ninth consecutive victory, a feat that equalled the illustrious record for consecutive wins held by Sebastian Vettel, solidifying his position as the fifth most successful driver of all time.
In case you missed it:
- Christian Horner explains the controversial undercut of Sergio Perez by Max Verstappen
- “F**k, how did we mess up,” George Russell goes on an angry rant as pit call ruined his Dutch GP
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Rohit Bhaskar
(727 Articles Published)