Max Verstappen has said although he can’t stop the Dutch fans and their relentless ‘boos’ when Hamilton is around, he thinks Lewis paying no heed is the best way to deal with it and sends a”powerful message”.
Hamilton has endured many jeers at the last few Grand Prix weekends since the rivals collided back in Silverstone.
At both the Hungarian and Belgian GPs, fans in orange have been exceptionally loud in their opinions of Lewis Hamilton and this weekend will be no different as it’s Verstappen’s home race.
The ‘Orange Army’ are getting ready to fill the stands of Zandvoort for the Dutch GP, so it’s likely they’ll be louder and in their masses.
Verstappen has said he hopes the fans will be “professional” but insisted that he won’t be getting involved at any point.
“I look at it like this; you go to a football match and you come to a home ground, the opposition will be booed at some point,” said Verstappen.
“And it’s not up to the local club to go up to the speaker and say guys you cannot boo, because that will not happen.
“I’m pretty sure that most of them are here to have a great weekend and see some cars racing, and of course some of them will boo. But I cannot decide for them.
“Of course I can say you can do it or you cannot do it, but do you really think they’re going to listen to me?”
Verstappen went on to tell Sky Sports that he doesn’t think it’s right but it’s the norm in sport, and Lewis will be focusing on the driving, not the chants.
“I don’t say it’s correct but it does happen. It’s a natural instinct I think people have,” he said.
“Lewis has already said he isn’t bothered by it, so that’s the most important thing. I think we are all professional enough to focus on the driving.
“And then luckily in a way compared to football, we have a helmet on and an engine roaring, so we won’t hear it while driving, so you won’t be disturbed by it.”
