The Formula 1 season reaches a thrilling climax this Sunday in Abu Dhabi, with three contenders still in the running for the world title. Who will it be: Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, or Max Verstappen? This week, we’re counting down with three questions for well-known compatriots from within and outside the sport. Today, part 4: F1 fan and football coach Henk de Jong, whose club SC Cambuur, like Verstappen, has won multiple titles and, like Verstappen, is a number 2 chasing the leader. “Max could just pull it off; I watch at home with a red face from the tension.”
– How have you followed the Formula 1 season so far?
“I watch all the races. And it’s a big deal here at our club: assistant coach Edwin de Graaf, for example, was at the final race in Abu Dhabi last year, and our team manager Niels Dissel is a huge Max Verstappen fan. I love Formula 1, also because of how Max keeps fighting. The start of the season was of course disappointing for him, but it’s amazing how he has managed to fight back. As a coach, I enjoy such a winning mentality. Until the race in Zandvoort, he was out of the running, but he and his team managed to turn it around. Fantastic.
You can also see that things are going better at Red Bull with a different team boss. (Laurent Mekies instead of Christian Horner, ed.). We have that in football too: sometimes there’s a different person in charge of the group and that can have an effect. I think it was a golden move. Moreover, Max himself is of course incredibly fast; if you see how he starts winning again and how well he drives… He is without a doubt the best driver. As a person, I also really respect him, my image of him is very positive. And in the car, he is superhuman. It’s beautiful to see.”
– Who will be world champion?
“I hope Max and I wouldn’t be surprised. He might need a bit of luck, but he knows that. Normally, Norris would be the champion with this lead, but there’s also a psychological aspect to this story: Max has put the pressure on, there’s unrest at McLaren. He’s done really well, it’s part of the game. The qualification will be very important, I think: if Max takes pole, the pressure on Norris and Piastri will increase even more. Winning the title will be exciting, but it’s possible.”
How will you watch the race in Abu Dhabi on Sunday?
“At home on the couch, from start to finish. Let me tell you, the last time Max became world champion, in 2021, I was also watching at home full of anticipation. But until the last moment, it seemed like it wasn’t going to happen. I was disappointed about that and I didn’t want to see Lewis Hamilton become champion. So, I turned off the TV, as disappointed as I was. Then my son called me: ‘Did you see it? Verstappen is world champion!’ So you can bet that I’ll be there until the end on Sunday, I don’t want to miss anything this time.
You know, my mother also loves Formula 1. Maybe I’ll pick her up, and we’ll watch the race together. With my brother there as well, we’ll watch Max Verstappen with the whole family at home in Friesland. Isn’t that wonderful? And we’ll be living it, believe me. Me too, with a red face from the tension. Beautiful. I so hope he makes it.”
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