The Dutch Grand Prix is an event for people who love cars, but instead of using gasoline,they use bicycles.
The Formula One (F1) race is happening in a small town near the coast.
Due to the town’s restriction, visitors aren’t permitted to bring their cars over the weekend, resulting in a large number of fans opting to arrive on bicycles instead.
Sitting high on a ladder at the edge of the train platform, a man wear in gall orange clothes guides groups of F1 fans who are coming to Zandvoort.
We’re led up stairs and through a small path.
The streets that go from the train to the track are decorated with orange flags. Some of the people who live there have made temporary bars on their porches,where they play music and serve cold drinks.
This weekend, the small town of Zandvoort, which only has 17,000 residents, is hosting around 300,000 visitors.
A group of people who call themselves the orange army are riding bicycles through the streets and sandy areas. They are excited to watch their local hero, Max Verstappen, in a race.
This weekend, only people who live in the small seaside community and authorized event-related vehicles will be allowed to drive there. Even the police, paramedics, and security guards are riding bicycles to patrol.
The Dutch event wants to be the most environmentally friendly out of all the Formula 1 races. Around one-third of supporters are predicted to come using public transportation, one-third by bicycle or scooter, and the remaining will arrive on foot, by bus, or taxi.
A train runs every five minutes between Amsterdam Central and Zandvoort. Additionally, electric buses bring fans to stops near the paddock.
I took the “Max Express” train from Haarlem to the town.
Many bike parking spots have been made available, and even important people from the top F1 teams are riding bicycles to get around the area.
Outside the entrance, Zoë and Amber, who are friends, are standing against the railings. They have their cameras ready, hoping to see a local legend named Verstappen.
“It’s mainly for Max,” Amber clarifies. “But I also really enjoy the atmosphere here, it feels like a large celebration. a celebration where we all come together as a united group.
“And the noise, it’s really loud,” her friend Zoë adds. “You can’t hear very well afterwards, but it’s worth it. ”
Amber tries to sound like an F1 car zooming past. The loud noise from the engine makes fans feel excited and passionate about the sport.
But the young fans understand that the sport needs to improve its behavior.
Amber took a train to go to the event. Wherever you are in the Netherlands, you can get around by using a bicycle. Trying to be environmentally friendly is making people realize that we want to improve things.