Zandvoort (Netherlands) (AFP)

For the first time in 36 years, the Netherlands are hosting an F1 Grand Prix from Friday to Sunday, but don't count on national hero Max Verstappen and his family to comfortably host Lewis Hamilton.

However, the Briton - who will have to face a particularly fierce audience - put the forms arriving on the paddock Thursday dressed in orange.

"The perfect color" for the occasion and which suits him "quite well", he laughed.

British driver Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) arrives at the Zandvoort circuit on September 2, 2021, three days before the Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix ANDREJ ISAKOVIC AFP

The return of Formula 1 to the coastal circuit of Zandvoort - which was the scene of thirty GPs between 1952 and 1985 - was to be done in 2020 but, because of the Covid-19, it would have been behind closed doors.

It was out of the question for the organizers, who intend to capitalize on the unprecedented popularity of the premier class of motorsport in their country thanks to the performances of Verstappen, the youngest winner in GP history in 2016, at 18 years old.

The meeting was therefore postponed by one year and has lost a little in scope: it is "only" 70,000 spectators who will attend each day, or 67% of the capacity of the circuit (105,000 people).

- Three point difference -

Positive point of this postponement, the sporting issue is more important than ever because, for the first time, Verstappen is a candidate for the title against the seven-time world champion Hamilton.

After twelve GP and his "victory" in a race reduced by rain to two laps under a safety car in Belgium last Sunday, the Red Bull driver is only three lengths behind his opponent from Mercedes, with ten races still to go .

Dutch driver Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing), winner of the Belgian Formula 1 Grand Prix, behind the safety car, August 29, 2021 on the Spa-Francorchamps circuit Kenzo Tribouillard AFP / Archives

This time, he has the advantage of knowing the circuit better and evolving in front of spectators who are completely committed to his cause and who will stop at nothing to show it.

Hamilton, by the way, expects to be booed.

"You see it in football, that's how the fans express their passion and their antagonisms. I respect it and I try to transform it into positive energy behind the wheel," he explains.

As for his rival, he does not "see a football club take the microphone to ask its supporters not to boo their opponent" and will not do either.

- "Old school" circuit -

"I only raced once in Zandvoort in a Formula 3 and I was then only the + son of +" Jos Verstappen, former F1 driver, remembers the Dutchman.

"It's going to be different this time!"

"Since then, the track has changed and a few turns have been modified," he recalls.

But "I did a few demos here with Red Bull in old F1 cars and a few laps on the new track, which might help at the start."

"Old school" track (from the old school) and built between the sand dunes, the Zandvoort circuit is 4.259 km long and 14 turns, two of which (the N.3 and the N.14) are particularly inclined, this which makes its specificity.

Dutch Grand Prix Zandvoort circuit, Sunday September 5, driver and manufacturer rankings Matthias BOLLMEYER AFP

Considering the narrowness of the track, "it might be a bit difficult to overtake," said the Red Bull driver.

"But in qualifying I think it counts: the laps will be very fast, so the slightest mistake can be extremely costly."

Another key to the weekend, "this track is new to everyone, so everyone's level of performance is a bit of a question mark and there may be surprises, you never know", ends the regional stage.

Mugello, Imola, Istanbul, Sakhir ... Since last year, the changes due to the coronavirus pandemic have caused several circuits to appear or return to the F1 calendar, sometimes with disappointments for the best and often unexpected guests on the podiums.

What will it be this time?

© 2021 AFP