The first fans also travel to the circuit from the north of the province by train

‘Uncle Tonny’, 7-year-old Daan and his father Ruud are looking forward to it today. All three are dressed in matching racing outfits.

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“We’re going to Zandvoort by train and watch the free practice on ‘Super Friday’. It’s the big birthday present for my son, who turned seven yesterday,” says father Ruud. Daan was of course very happy with that. “It was indeed a very special surprise,” says Daan.

Dan for the second time

The three are big racing fans. “We watch every race, every training and we sit down together during the qualifications. This is the second time that Daan will see it all in real life,” says Ruud. “The first time was in 2020, then we went to Monza.” Zane was only three or four, but remembers it well. “I know Max didn’t win there.”

Uncle Tonny is wearing a special orange shirt today, which says ‘No, Mikey, No’. That deserves an explanation.

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“That has to do with the race in Abu Dhabi in 2021,” explains uncle Tonny. “Toto Wolff (Mercedes team principal, ed.) shouted ‘No, Mickey, No’ because he did not agree that Max won that race because of a race jury decision. And I happened to be there, at that race. Completely surprised, surprised and happy that Max won, of course. And every year we go to a race with a group of friends. And now an extra time because of Daan’s birthday.”

‘No Micky no’, Daan shouts through the train four more times. Just like Toto Wolff did in Abu Dhabi. But not in the train, but along the circuit.