Doornbos hopes respect for Hamilton: 'Respect the sport and the performance'

This weekend the race at Zandvoort is finally on the program. It took a lot of patience and even now we don't know if fans are allowed to be present, but the race will be held this weekend.

The battle between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen took on a completely different dynamic just before the summer break at Silverstone. Robert Doornbos knows this as well. TopGear Doornbos says that he hopes that the fans will behave themselves towards the Brit.

"I can only hope for a positive reception for Hamilton at Zandvoort. At the end of the day, you are in a wonderful battle with only three points difference. The fans just have to respect the sport that is in the Netherlands now and enjoy it when the men race wheel to wheel. In a football stadium, you hear boos, but that's different from men who put their lives at risk at 300km/h. If someone drives a beautiful race - like the one he drove - the fans should respect him. If someone drives a beautiful race - like Hamilton in Budapest - you should applaud and not shout 'boo'."

Doornbos hopes for respect for Hamilton's performance

This is what the Dutchman thinks is most important. "Look, if Hamilton knocks Verstappen off, I understand that people start cheering. Then I do that too, first of all. But I think you have to respect the sport and its performances. Of course, Max has the home advantage and everyone cheers for Verstappen. That doesn't give Max any extra time, but for the party, it is extra nice when you can win your home race. You also saw that with Lewis who won his home race at Silverstone."

Next Friday, Saturday and Sunday we will see if the Dutch fans listen to Doornbos, but also to Jan Lammers, who has also asked for respect towards the seven-time world champion several times. Whether he will get it, will become clear from Friday.