Now that the Formula 1 race teams have arrived in Zandvoort, the real countdown has begun. Shopkeepers on the Grote Krocht still remember the visit of the German driver Sebastian Vettel last year and hope that he will also show his face this week. “He said: ‘See you next year’, so I’m curious,” laughs Marcel Horneman of the local butcher shop.
Marcel is busy these days. He has a lot of lunches and barbecues that he caters for and he is very happy about that. “We’re doing good business.” Last year it was different because there were no side events due to corona and people did not come together in large groups either. Despite having his hands full and fond of his regular customers, a visit from one of the Formula 1 drivers would be more than welcome.
German customer
“We thought we had a regular German customer in the store, until another customer recognized him,” said Edwin Hiemstra, a butcher’s employee who remembers Vettel’s visit well. “He took a picture with him and then it was world news.”
Vettel also came to Kaashuis Tromp, just down the street, last year. “He had ordered Dutch farmer’s cheese. And he brought a few pieces of it,” says employee Alexandra van der Horst. She didn’t recognize him immediately, but did take a picture with him. “Wouldn’t it be a party if there was another one?! I hope Max will come by sometime.”
Prepared
Both at Kaashuis Tromp and at Marcel’s butcher’s shop they are alert to unexpected visitors these days. “I know all the drivers and work here every day this week,” says Edwin Hiemstra. “I’m sharp this week, let me put it this way. We are prepared. Last year he ordered barbecue sausage, luncheon meat for his kids and pour himself. So we are ready.”