Max Verstappen and Alex Albon Perhaps better known for their heroics on the track, but earlier this year the precocious duo took on a new challenge and embarked on the ultimate Red Bull-style road trip through the Netherlands.
In the past few years, thousands of Dutch fans have traveled the world to support Verstappen. The “Orange Army” often cheers the loudest, has the greatest fun and embodies the party atmosphere of Formula 1. With the return of the Dutch GP on the Formula 1 calendar, it was the perfect time to introduce the Netherlands into the F1 world. What could be better than having two of the most talented F1 drivers, their cars and incredible cameos from other members of the Red Bull crew.
Max and Alex in the Netherlands
In the Dutch road trip: Port to Zandvoort video (above), you can watch Verstappen play the tour guide for Albon and point out the most interesting places. The two drive through the port of Rotterdam, over narrow dikes, past windmills, through the flower greenhouses and directly through the city center of The Hague. On the way they meet an old friend before making donuts at the Noordeinde Palace.
The final destination is of course Circuit Zandvoort, the place where the Dutch GP should have taken place on May 3rd 2020. However, an ultimate road trip through the Netherlands wouldn’t be complete without visiting one of the beautiful beaches, so the duo drive over the loose sands of Scheveningen and meet an old friend of the Red Bull crew: the motocross racer Jeffrey Herlings.
Red Bull Racing at home in a greenhouse
© Red Bull
Herlings jumps over Verstappen: “It had to go well …”
Of course, Verstappen and Albon not only meet for a friendly chat with Herlings, but there is also a spectacular stunt on the horizon. It could be the moment of the Dutch road trip video; The scene in which Herlings jumps over Albon and Verstappen in their Formula 1 cars on Scheveningen beach.
When asked to do so, Herlings did not have to think long. “I was excited immediately. How often do you have a chance like that? It was also super cool. A day you should never forget,” Herlings added, looking back on the film. “And when you see what kind of footage it produced … really cool.”
That’s not to say Herlings didn’t tentatively consider the mind-boggling stunt. “Sure, a bit. There was a big audience too, which wasn’t really intended,” he laughs.
The video had to be recorded anonymously, but the rumor that F1 cars were driving on the beach quickly spread and the public stood several rows deep on the beach to watch the F1 cars and Herlings as closely as possible.
Driving over sand is not careless for a Formula 1 car, so I had few chances
“It had to go well,” added the motocross racer. “For a Formula 1 car, driving over sand is not careless, so I had few chances. Everything had to be coordinated at exactly the right time. So yes, you can feel a bit of tension. It’s me. I’m glad that the result is super nice. “
The hardest part for Herlings was the combination of beach sand and timing, with the driver hanging in the air at the exact moment that the cars that started much further down the beach were driving under him. “Soon there were deep tracks in the loose sand, which made it difficult. And of course I had to make the jump right, otherwise I would be sitting on a Formula 1 car,” he laughs.
It makes for an amazing view, but Herlings also has an idea for future stunts: “The next time Max can jump over it with my bike, I’ll drive the Formula 1 car,” the crosser giggles. “Another dream of mine is to one day drive a Formula 1 car. Maybe one day Red Bull can do it. Exchanging cars with Max is no problem for me. “
Max Verstappen and Jeffrey Herlings in the sand
© Red Bull
We introduce: Robert Doornbos
Herlings wasn’t the only member of the Red Bull family attending the party, and racing colleague Robert Doornbos made a welcome appearance too. Doornbos overtakes Verstappen and Albon’s cars on his bike as the two try to get through the busy city center of The Hague.
“After 10 years they thought we’d call it Doornbos again,” smiles the man who drove three Formula 1 races for Red Bull Racing in 2006. “But this time they won’t put me in the car, they’ll put me on my bike.”
Doornbos really enjoyed being part of the trip and added: “It was great to feel the mood and excitement again. In my day we did a demo over the Afsluitdijk (where it has speeds of over 300 km / h reached) so it all started at the time. “
Driving through the Netherlands
© Red Bull
Create something special to look at
Tony Burrows, Manager of the Racing Support Team at Red Bull Racing, is satisfied with the spectacular project in the Netherlands. “We were in a lot of special places, but that was great. The scene through the greenhouse was especially cool. Driving a Formula 1 car through such a big greenhouse …”
Burrows was also delighted with the enthusiasm of the fans who watched the footage. “It’s nice to be so close to the audience. Normally, as a fan, you can’t see a Formula 1 car that close. It’s good that we can do it.”
To be able to show something of the Netherlands in this way is something very special
In the last part of the film, Verstappen drives around the brand new Circuit Zandvoort, where the Dutch GP should have taken place on May 3rd. Verstappen has had the opportunity to lap the track a few times but his rivals will have to wait to see the new Zandvoort.
With the Dutch GP currently being postponed, the team’s road trip has just gotten more special, with something new and exciting for fans to see while they wait.
“Of course we were all looking forward to our home race,” added Verstappen. “Unfortunately that won’t happen now, but hopefully soon. Then we’ll have a great weekend for the fans. But to be able to.” Showing something of the Netherlands in this way is something very special. Especially now that there is little Formula 1 action. “
Albon sums up: “We wanted to show the Netherlands to the world in this way. The film was shot in January and at that time it should have been the Dutch Grand Prix, but given the situation, that’s different. We wanted to release the film now to give the fans something. So enjoy it! “
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