Horner on pressure on Max Verstappen: 'Of course he feels that'

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horner on home race verstappen extra pressure
26 August 2023 at 13:45
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  • GPblog.com

Max Verstappen will race his third home Grand Prix in Zandvoort this year. There are over 100,000 fans per day in the Dutch coastal town, many of whom cheer on Verstappen. Christian Horner says the fan support is nowhere else in the world like Zandvoort.

Verstappen fans are unique

Driving his home Grand Prix is obviously special for Verstappen, but there is also extra pressure involved here. Almost everyone in the stands wants to see the Dutchman take pole position on Saturday and victory on Sunday. The sea of orange is unique, according to the Red Bull Racing team boss. "It’s always great to see all the Dutchies getting behind Max. We don’t see this kind of support for a driver anywhere else in the world," Horner told Viaplay.

A lot of pressure on Verstappen

Despite often not showing it to the two-time world champion, Verstappen does indeed feel extra pressure at Zandvoort, according to Horner. "He feels that. He’s trying to keep his head down and we’re trying to keep it a normal weekend for him. Max is so broad shouldered that we don’t notice any difference. He must feel it inside. That extra pressure, but he deals with it so incredibly well. Even more pressure with the weather but that’s what it is."