Formula 1 fans up early for race day in Zandvoort

Formula 1 fans are out early Sunday morning for the Dutch Grand Prix, which will be held in the afternoon at the Zandvoort circuit. Many are wearing Red Bull Racing shirts and caps, Max Verstappen's team. McLaren is also well represented in the crowd. Australian McLaren driver Oscar Piastri took pole position in qualifying on Saturday.

At Haarlem station, the crowds were already starting to build, an ANP reporter saw. Every five minutes, a Sprinter train departs from there to Zandvoort, renamed the "Max Express" by the Dutch Railways (NS) for the occasion. According to the NS, around 7,500 race fans had already arrived at Zandvoort station by 9:00 a.m., and the atmosphere was cheerful.

The station's travel information screens display a race car icon for these trains. At Zandvoort station, banners read "Have a nice race, have a pleasant journey." A Dutch Railways (NS) employee welcomes visitors and warns of pickpockets around the circuit. "Keep an eye on your belongings!" The company has deployed 300 extra staff to ensure everything runs smoothly.

It promises to be a dry race day in the seaside town. Around 8:30 a.m., the sun peeks through. Many residents of the houses on the street leading to the circuit have decorated their gardens and homes with checkered flags. Some have stalls on the sidewalk selling coffee, tea, and soft drinks. Children are trying to sell their homemade Formula 1 paraphernalia. A Dutch and an Australian flag hang from the balcony of an apartment building opposite the circuit.

ANP