Royal performances are required in the premier class of motorsport. The Verstappen fans, who are showing special qualities this weekend, also know this. There’s the heat, the noise, the alcohol. The “Orange Army” already knows all of this from the past. But this year there is still the World Cup. On Friday night, Oranje played against Tunisia from 1 a.m. – and won 3-1. “Hup, Holland, honk!”, a beer for every goal. Accordingly, many people were dressed in orange on Friday.
Drivers with specialist knowledge
But football isn’t just an issue for fans. Hardly a conversation with the main actors of Formula 1 goes without a question about the World Cup. So we now know that…
… Sergio Perez really wanted to see his Mexicans’ game against Korea in Guadalajara, but that didn’t work out because of the schedule. “That was extremely unfortunate. But we’re playing really well. I’ll definitely watch the next game in Mexico”;
… dass Arsenal-Fan Lewis Hamilton (seven-time world champion) is keeping his fingers crossed not only for England (single world champion), but also for Brazil. “Neymar is a good friend of mine,” says Sir Hamilton, who is also an honorary citizen of Brazil;
… that George Russell “every minute” of his English people. “The results weren’t that convincing yet,” says the Mercedes driver. “But our performance was great. I see great opportunities”;
…that the heart of Max Verstappen Of course, he plays for the Netherlands (“I watch every game, and Holland will go far.”) and that he is friends with Virgil van Dijk. At club level, Verstappen supports PSV Eindhoven;
… that Bayern fan Nico Hulkenbergwho is a good kicker himself, was really happy with the kick-off of the Germany-Ecuador game at 10 p.m. “I watch the game from bed and then it’s time for bed.” It is not known whether he slept well after the 1-2 loss;
… that the Brazilian Audi driver Gabriel Bortoleto is actually a tennis fan, asked for his World Cup tip, but still mentions Brazil. “Otherwise they will kill me at home”;
… that Pierre Gasly is a PSG fan and celebrated the victory in the Champions League extensively. He never misses French national team games. “We have great players, an incredible team.” A Les Bleus game is like a 90-minute show.
… that Isack Hadjara Frenchman with Algerian roots, will miss the game between Austria and Algeria. “Getting up at 4 a.m. on race day? That’s just not possible.”
… that Fernando Alonso believes that his Spaniards will reach the final and supports Real Madrid;
… that the World Cup leader Kimi Antonelli from Italy is a real football expert with a surefire World Cup tip: “We won’t.”