The countdown to the Dutch GP has begun. In an eight-part series, we’re highlighting a unique story about the Grand Prix of the Netherlands each day. Today, part 8, features a tribute from Rob Kamphues to his childhood hero, Jan Lammers. “Don’t you have a pit card?”
Agreed. The best car racer the Netherlands has ever had is, of course, Max Verstappen. After him, there’s a gap, quite a long one actually, but then not too far apart are Gijs van Lennep, Jos Verstappen, Jan Lammers, and Arie Luijendijk. Van Lennep won Le Mans twice and scored points in Formula 1 at a time when drivers were already happy to survive the season. Luijendijk won the Indy 500 twice, another unique achievement that Rinus Veekay is still struggling with (no matter how well he’s doing). And well, Jos, we all know: the first Dutchman who got to try it in a top team in Formula 1 next to Michael Schumacher and finished on the podium twice in his first season.
The Long Wait for a Dutch Grand Prix Winner Named Verstappen
We dreamed of a Dutch Grand Prix winner with the surname Verstappen, but we had to wait 22 years for that dream to come true. Jos Verstappen’s career dwindled, and like all other Dutch Formula 1 drivers, he was condemned to scrape together points in mediocre to poor cars.
Jan Lammers: The Hope of the Netherlands
What about Jan Lammers? Like Max and Jos, he stormed the motorsport ladder with giant strides and was the beacon of hope for the Netherlands in uncertain times. He made his motorsport debut at the age of sixteen. This may seem rather late now, but it was unprecedentedly early at the time. He won his first car race at Zandvoort and became champion in his first year. Five years later, in an era when careers progressed step by step, he became the first Dutchman to win the European Formula 3 championship. Ten years after that, he crowned his career with a fantastic victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Personal Encounters with Greatness
I experienced many of these moments up close. His greatest achievements were milestones in my personal life. In fact, Jan played a crucial role in many special moments in my life!
Double Summer Package Now Available
Now available in stores and for digital order (with free delivery in the Netherlands): our double-thick summer package with regular edition & the Dutch GP Special! Featuring a mid-term report by Tom Coronel, an interview with Max Verstappen, and how King Willem-Alexander secretly learned to race!
