Max to contest Zandvoort Master July 4-6
Published on 07 June 2014 by Niels Hendrix
Max Verstappen will contests the renowned Zandvoort Masters (July 4-6) on the legendary Dutch circuit in the dunes. For this one-off occasion, The 16-year-old Dutchman will drive a Formula 3 racer provided by Team Motopark. This means Max will race in the Netherlands despite the FIA Formula 3 European Championship not having a Dutch round added to its calendar.
Different regulations and a busy European F3 schedule meant it was quite and operation to ensure Max’ Zandvoort Masters participation. The car the talented youngster normally drives, his fast and reliable Van Amersfoort Racing F3 racer, will be on its way to the Moscow circuit as the Russian round of the European F3 championship is scheduled a week after the Zandvoort Masters. In addition, the two cars Van Amersfoort Racing enters at the Dutch event were already signed up before Max signed his contract at VAR.
However, Team Motopark, the ATS Formel 3 Cup champions of 2012 and 2013 and the current leaders in the German F3 championship, reserved a seat for Max. “I’m very happy to be able to drive the Zandvoort Masters. I absolved my first Formula 3 test with Motopark and ever since, we’ve established a good relationship. I’m confident that we can put in a good performance in front of my home crowd. Hopefully there’ll be plenty of fans at Zandvoort”, reveals Max.
Team Motopark team boss Timo Rumpfkeil is glad to have Verstappen junior on board: “We’re happy to have Max in the car at the Zandvoort Masters and to give him the unique opportunity to race in front of his home crowd. I’ve been tracking Max for a long time, also because I know his dad Jos. So far Max is doing an excellent job in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship. Far better than anyone could have hoped for. He did only the two days of F3-testing with us before he decided to go for the European F3 championship. Against all odds, Max is showing excellent results as a 16-year-old rookie in his maiden season in formula cars. That is stunning.”
In 1993, Max’ father and mentor Jos Verstappen won the prestigious F3 event. Back then, it was called the Marlboro Masters. Now, 21 years after Jos’ legendary victory, Max will face the challenging Dutch circuit for the first time. Jos is cautious regarding a possible second Verstappen triumph.
Jos: “Firstly, the Zandvoort Masters are an extra race weekend for Max and thus another good opportunity to gain experience in single seater racing and Formula 3. Despite it being his first outing at Zandvoort, I hope Max can surpass my results from the past.”
Verstappen senior adds: “It’s also a great opportunity for the Dutch to see Max in action. Of course for himself it’s just a great chance to race on this circuit so everyone is very much looking forward to the first weekend in July.”
Team boss Rumpfkeil is ambitious: “We are hoping to add a little bit to the history of the event when we go to Zandvoort. We definitely want to be in position to win it. It’s going to be though, but that is why we are going there. A podium is the minimum, but the goal is to win it.”
Max will race in an F3 with a special livery. More information regarding the livery will be announced in due course. For more info on the Zandvoort Masters and the ticket sales, please go to: www.circuit-zandvoort.nl.
