Reuters
Formula One F1 – Austrian Grand Prix – Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Styria, Austria – July 4, 2021 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen during the race REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger
Reuters
Formula One F1 – Austrian Grand Prix – Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Styria, Austria – July 4, 2021 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen during the race REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger
Looking around the grandstands at the Austrian Grand Prix, everything was so orange. Flags with a bold red #33 on it, fans roaring in orange t-shirts. Max Verstappen has clearly had his impact on the audience of the sport. This overwhelming showcase of orange didn’t emerge this year; however, the growing number of fans has been swelling for a long time.
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The ‘Max Factor.’ as it’s now known, has been incredible. The number of Verstappen fans has increased to where there’s a separate spot for them on the grandstands.
But why is the spot filled with orange fans?
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Max Verstappen’s Orange Army
The simple reason the Orange Army is orange-clad is that it’s the national color of the Netherlands. Verstappen is the first Dutchman to win an F1 Grand Prix, taking the victory in the 2016 Spanish GP; that win also made him the youngest race winner in the sport.
The Dutch Formula 1 fans were undoubtedly proud of their representative, and ever since Dutch fans show their support to Max by dressing in orange. Over time, the color extended to everyone who supported Verstappen, regardless of their nationality.
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Formula One F1 – Austrian Grand Prix – Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Styria, Austria – July 4, 2021 General view as fans of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen are seen in the stands before the race REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger
But what is the secret to the Red Bull driver’s popularity?
What’s most impressive about the drover is that he was only 18 when he won his first race. And it wasn’t a one-win-wonder. Max kept the momentum going and now, at the age of 23, he is the prime threat to Mercedes’ dominance that has lasted for so long.
Disappointing to have two races in a row so much bad luck. I tried to make the best of it, but with our damaged car it was a very difficult race. We will bounce back after the summer break ⚔️ Thank you for your support, great to see the Orange Army out there again 🔸 #HungarianGP pic.twitter.com/7eS8nDxh6U
— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) August 1, 2021
Max, however, doesn’t feel the pressure; as always, he simply takes it in his stride. He once said, “Of course, always great to have that support. But it’s not going to change me as a person at all.”
Nonetheless, it must be an exhilarating feeling to have stands roaring in approval of your victory. The celebrations on the grandstand when Verstappen steps on the podium are loud and invigorating.
With what we can consider another home race for the driver, the upcoming Belgian GP will undoubtedly be orange as well. With all the cheering he can get, the celebrations will be doubled if the championship favorite re-gains his position on the board after racing at Spa.
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