Steiner: F1 could race everywhere and sell out the venue

Zandvoort is braced for an Orange Army invasion, as the country this week and, of course, weekend pays homage to their favourite son Max Verstappen. The 25-year-old is cruising to a third F1 crown and is expected to win his 11th race of the season, at home on Sunday. Max is among the people that started their career with karting. whereupon the country began a journey to the pinnacle of motorsport with him that keeps on going.

So far this season he has only been beaten twice. By Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez. But since Baku in April, the Mexican veteran has either gone off the boil, or Verstappen found a few extra gears or a combo of both. Whatever the case the Dutch ace has cleaned up and aiming for an 11th victory this weekend.

Thus no surprise that Holland demanded their race return to the F1 calendar and got their wish in 2021 when the race returned for the first time since 1985. Max-mania is the cause, thus expect the full-house to be Orange all weekend as he targets to win three out of three, to remain unbeaten on home soil since the race returned to the schedule.

No surprise for Steiner that the full-house signs are up: “With the popularity of Formula 1 right now, I think we could race everywhere and sell out the venue. Obviously, there are contracts in place and FOM is managing this.

The Haas team boss pointed to a glaring omission on the F1 calendar, his driver Nico Hulkenberg's home race: "I think a race in Germany would be appropriate in my opinion. It’s a big ‘car’ country, there’s a German driver and there’s a lot of history within Formula 1. At the moment, it’s the only market that is a bit in decline, everywhere else is growing.

"Of course, a race would help, and it would give millions of fans in Germany a chance to see a race in their home country," reckoned Steiner.

Germany hosted 64 Grands Prix but dropped off the calendar in 2019 as funding could not be found despite the country boasting Mercedes as multiple World Champions over the past decade, and a collection of handy local F1 drivers, including their World Champs Sebastian Vettel and Nico Rosberg. Interest in F1 has never attained the heights of the Micahel Schumacher era, in a country steeped in motorsport success across all disciplines.

Steiner also made a case for a Grand Prix in Denmark, Kevin Magnussen's homeland: “Denmark’s also got a lot of history in Formula 1, now having Kevin here is what they want and there was a plan to have a race in Copenhagen which would’ve been fantastic.

"It’s a fantastic city and I think they would’ve been ready, but I think the politicians couldn’t agree, so, therefore, it was decided not to have it for now but hopefully, that idea comes back," added Steiner.

Previewing Round 13 of the 2023 F1 World Championship this weekend at Zandvoort, Magnussen revealed that he treats the Dutch GP much like his 'home' race: “It’s the closest race we have to Denmark, but I feel Zandvoort is a completely orange race full of Dutch fans and that’s great.

"The atmosphere is super special there, but of course, they’re all rooting for their countryman. I like the track, it’s old school and unique and it’s one of those that you definitely enjoy driving a F1 car on," said Magnussen.

Ditto Hulkenberg who also has an affinity for Holland's Grand Prix: “The town I was born in [Emmerich] is just around the corner from the Netherlands, around 2km away, so growing up I spent a lot of time karting there and spent a lot of time working with Dutch people. For that reason, I speak Dutch, and I’ve got a lot of good memories.

"I’ve raced a lot at Zandvoort in Formula BMW, Formula 3 and in A1 Grand Prix. I think it’s a great track, really a rollercoaster with a lot of elevation changes, banking, and a good mix of everything so I’m looking forward to hitting the track in a F1 car for the first time," added Hulkenberg.