If you were planning on buying tickets to the Belgian Grand Prix this weekend, you might be out of luck.
The race’s official website has stopped selling tickets, and third-party vendors are offering little else other than general admission to the historic Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps.
A sell-out crowd in a season featuring a German Grand Prix just over 300 kilometres away is heartening, but the projected attendance figure is marked departure from the past decade regardless of the competition.
“Seventy-thousand tickets have already been paid for,” André Maes told Belgium’s La Dernière Heure. “And I speak here of actual numbers – three-day tickets sold.”
The good news didn’t stop there, he added in a later edition of the paper.
“Everything sold from the beginning of the week is not yet recognised, [and] on average … between 3000 and 6000 people still buy their ticket on the spot. We could even sell 10,000 more.
“It’s been a long time that we have not reached these figures – since 2001 or 2002.”
The 15 years since the turn of the millennium have comprised some excellent seasons, but it is in 2016 the loss-making race is set to give the promoter’s accountants a reason to smile. Why?
The answer comes in just three words: Max Emilian Verstappen.
Max Verstappen’s story will forever be part of Formula One history – youngest debutant, youngest points scorer, youngest podium-sitter, youngest winner – but his Formula One career ranges far broader than mere personal success.
At little more than 18 years and 47 weeks old, Verstappen is becoming synonymous with Formula One for a growing number of fans.
Even the purely anecdotal observation of European crowds by this writer before the midseason break suggests as much – though European national flags are common at European grands prix, the Dutch flag is becoming increasingly prevalent to rival even the omnipresent Finnish banner in support of Kimi Räikkönen. That’s no mean feat.
The paddock too is testament to the growth in corresponding Dutch interest since Verstappen’s meteoric rise. The number of Dutch journalists attempting to satiate the booming demand for Formula One news has swelled, and even minor news outlets in the Formula One game have seen marked rises in clicks from the Netherlands.
The Verstappen Effect has been so keenly felt in the Netherlands that there’s talk of a revival of the Dutch Grand Prix. The rejuvenating of Circuit Park Zandvoort, last used by Formula One in 1985 and still used today by smaller categories, could even be on the cards after the local government initiated an investigation into bringing back the race.
On the track Verstappen’s presence is having an equally great effect, even beyond his predisposition to breaking records.
With the notable exception of Daniil Kvyat, Red Bull’s driver programme has benefitted immensely, not only in terms of its credibility but also in terms of the standard of its drivers.
Both Carlos Sainz and Daniel Ricciardo have benefitted from Verstappen’s fifth-round promotion. Sainz has seen the tension brought about by the Verstappen camp’s ruthless ambitions inside Toro Rosso lifted and has excelled ever since.
Ricciardo, on the other hand, has been forced to dig deeper than he thought capable to answer to his new teammate’s innate abilities.
“You think you may be at your limit, but sometimes you’re not,” Ricciardo told Motorsport.com. “With Dany [Kvyat] I always thought I was pushing myself – and then Max came on.
“Probably since then we’ve both found another level.”
And that’s before we consider Verstappen’s racing style – ambitious, aggressive, and with little room for fear. Controversial? Sure – but no-one can accuse him of failing to contribute to the spectacle of Formula One.
Even the FIA, originally a doubter of such magnitude that regulations were changed to prevent future debutants racing before their 18th birthday, has been converted, awarding Verstappen the 2015 ‘action of the year’ award for his pass on Felipe Nasr at last year’s Belgian Grand Prix.
Has there been another driver in the last ten years to have such an effect on Formula One? Only Lewis Hamilton, praised by Bernie Ecclestone for doing more to promote the sport than any other driver, could claim as much pull as Verstappen – but even he hasn’t triggered any new grands prix.
What’s more is that Verstappen, not yet 19 years old, has a long career ahead of him – and given the effect he’s had on Formula One in just 18 months, there couldn’t be better news for our sport.
Follow @MichaelLamonato on Twitter.
Marc
Guest
Maybe it is because of Vettel not being able to win anymore. Spain should have been Ferrari at front, but than this young gun came along. Sunday at Spa was way over the edge in the first corner, Vettel collided in to his own teammate. He just lost it in a way, and even Raikkonen is managing to be the better of him. Remember Vettel was winning in the better car, like Lewis and Nico do now. This young gun, and also Riciardo showing pace in a car that is maybe 5th row material. Another level of racing is at our hands, they just turned up the game (both Verstappen and Riciardo) The moaning and groaning of both Raikkonen and Vettel is getting pretty FUNNY!
Tom
Guest
You say Hamilton is the only driver to attract this much hype... I remember Vettel was the boy wonder for a good few years. Youngest kid to do pretty much anything in the sport. He's almost anonymous these days in terms of media coverage. Amazing how quickly times change and people move on.
Michael Lamonato
Expert
Hey, surely it's no coincidence Heineken's closed that sponsorship deal! Maybe they'll wait and see how their first few years in F1 work out, but it'd be a natural tie-up to support the Dutch GP. If the funds don't turn up from the local government, there are also alternatives — Assen could do a good job given it's already up to MotoGP standards. Definitely agree regarding RBR's driver line-up. I think it's the best on the grid so far, and I can't wait to see them battling consistently for wins, and both Ricciardo and Verstappen seem pretty level-headed. Exciting times for sure!
Michael Lamonato
Expert
Possibly, but in a worst-case scenario that the FIA was uncomfortable with Verstappen being in the car, somewhere between then and last year's prize-giving gala it decided to give him three awards, including best overtake. I don't doubt the FIA was at first wary of having Verstappen join — it tried to ban more people from following in his footsteps — but, as Rodney said, I think it had a lot to do with the governing body trying to protect the world championship brand, which is fair enough. It's at least come around to him!
Rodney Gordon
Expert
I'm not sure it's fair to accuse the FIA of being anti-Verstappen before he came into the sport, they were just anti-the negative press they received and were looking to prevent the impression that F1 cars are so easy to drive that even a "young adult" could do it.
Marty
Guest
I mean bad blood In between Vestappen Jr. + Sr. against FIA.
Marty
Guest
I think the stewards have been in support of Verstappen's driving style and he got lucky with it. However, as you see the FIA statements made on Verstappen's passes in the past: They have punished it with penalty points and some bad comments (for the Verstappen fans) Their is a little bit bad blood in between, young and old Verstappen and something what happened in Monaco last year. (not in regards to Gross-jean, but the rulings) Bernie has even spoken with FIA about it, and his point of view. (read press conference and official FIA reply in regards of the fight of the Verstappen penalty points by Toro Rosso Team) Also TR press releases about the outcome)
Marty
Guest
Heineken, put up some $. They have changed internal policies to make it possible to sponsor an event, where they in the past couldn't be associated with (driving & drinking) I know that behind the scene's Heineken is pushing and collaborating with the Prince of The Netherlands Royals (one of the owner of the Dutch Zandvoort Circuit) to get everything ready for a major overhaul of the circuit. Heineken would be the major event sponsor and have green light from Bernie, if the circuit can get enough visitors in, government approval and up-dated to modern F1 standards. No before you all are going to say: How you know and Sure, etc. Simple: Just remember this weekend in Belgium and the way Heineken is going to feed the press. In regards of R. & V at Red Bull: There couldnt be a better set up for 2 rivals in 1 team. Every other combination is a problem of age or a younger rookie who want to proof Verstappen wrong. R. know and is simply straight forward that the best will win. R. is a great team player. They both will drive (i think) another 3 years for RB. We'll see we will see. Exciting times for sure!
Michael Lamonato
Expert
It'll probably influence how much money he thinks he can extract from the Dutch, I think!
Michael Lamonato
Expert
I think the FIA has definitely come around to him, and I think at Red Bull Racing he has a home that will more likely than not put him in a position to compete for a title at some point. It'll be fascinating to see how he drives under that sort of pressure.
Trent Price
Roar Guru
Bernie has great affection for young Verstappen. Wonder if this will influence his opinion of the European tour?
Marty
Guest
Great article, and very true! The kid just has your heart if you love F1. No matter who you are a fan of. I hope the FIA lets him boom and gloom. I believe he is that one thing F1 needed very badly!