Max Verstappen

Race director witnesses 'revival of the sport' since Verstappen's F1 rise

08:19, 15 Aug

byEstéban den Toom

Claire Dubbelman, Formula 1 race director, has observed a major shift in the Netherlands since Max Verstappen rose to prominence in the pinnacle of motorsport. In a podcast, Dubbelman spoke of the “rebirth of the sport” thanks to the Red Bull Racing driver.

''The sport has seen such a transformation in recent years. I've lived and worked in five different countries,'' the F1 race director began in the Chequered Flag podcast by the BBC.

''The last time I lived in the Netherlands was around 2015-2016. I left to Germany at the time. I became a team manager of a big endurance team. And when I left the Netherlands around that time, motorsport was in a very difficult place.''

''It was national championships where we're really struggling for competitors and all that. And then when Max (Verstappen) entered Formula 1, it's been the revival of the sport in the country.''

Max Verstappen

Dubbelman on the comeback of the Dutch GP

''The last few years I lived in the Netherlands, I had a place in Zandvoort, about 500 meters away from the racetrack,'' Dubbelman added.

''So the guys that work on the racetrack, they actually started their career around the same time as I did around 2007-2008, we really grew up together.''

''So to be able to celebrate the return of the Dutch Grand Prix was really emotional, to be able to do it with my race family.''

''It was a really special time and obviously every time I come back it's really a party. It's just so nice to be able to work with all these people that I consider family, so it's very very nice.''

In February 2025, the FIA announced the appointments for key positions in race direction. Rui Marques replaces Niels Wittich, who has departed the governing body. The Portuguese Marques is supported by deputy race director Dubbelman.