Dutch racing drivers are finally getting the respect they deserve, according to three-time F1 champion Max Verstappen. But he says there’s still work to be done.
“As a Dutchman, you weren’t really taken seriously for a very long time,” Verstappen told De Telegraaf. “If you look at the dominant countries in motorsport, we were not among them. That’s changing a bit now.”
The 26-year-old superstar has helped put Dutch racing on the map. His incredible success has opened doors for other drivers from his home country.
But Formula 1 remains very British-focused, especially when it comes to media coverage. Drivers from smaller racing nations often struggle to get noticed.
“In terms of drivers, people are finally seeing that there can be very good drivers from the Netherlands, not just from the traditional racing countries,” Verstappen explained.
He’s particularly concerned about how expensive it’s become for young drivers to get started in the sport.
“Karting has become very expensive,” he said. That’s why Verstappen is looking at creative solutions to help talented kids break into racing.
One approach he’s excited about is using sim racing as a pathway. Virtual racing lets drivers develop skills at a fraction of the cost of real-world karting.
He’s currently helping his Team Redline teammate Chris Lulham make the jump from sim racing to actual motorsport. Lulham started in karting but switched to virtual racing at 16 when costs became too high.
For Verstappen, it’s about opening up new routes into the sport he loves. Whether through traditional karting or modern sim racing, he wants to make sure talented drivers get their shot – no matter where they’re from.
