Meanwhile, countless companies, writers, commentators, former drivers and many others are hitching a ride on the success of world champion Max Verstappen. But what about motorsport itself? Does Max's global triumph also open doors for other Dutch drivers? Jaap de Groot investigated the "Effect of Max" and spoke with various people involved.

Actually, Max's Effect becomes immediately apparent. After all, for the first time in history, the Netherlands is directly involved in the three largest global classes known to motorsports: Formula 1, IndyCar and NASCAR. All good for an audience of millions and packed grandstands, with often over 100,000 spectators. With Max Verstappen as the global figurehead in Formula 1, Rinus van Kalmthout (Rinus VeeKay) in IndyCar and Loris Hezemans on behalf of Team Hezeberg in NASCAR. The latter even involves an entirely Dutch project through team owners Toine Hezemans and Ernst Berg.

But first, an overview of the current Dutch contribution at the most salient classes, in a sport teeming with all sorts of diverse categories:

FORMULE 1: Max Verstappen (age 24).

FORMULE 2: Richard Verschoor (21). Also active in this class are the Dutch teams MP Motorsport and Van Amersfoort Racing. Only this year without homegrown drivers. In 2019, Nyck de Vries was still crowned the first Dutch world champion in Formula 2.

FORMULE 3: Also active in this class are MP Motorsport and Van Amersfoort Racing, both of which again have no Dutch drivers under contract.

FORMULE E: Robin Frijns (30) and Nyck de Vries (27). After capturing the 2019 Formula 2 world title, Nyck de Vries is also the reigning world champion in this electric version of Formula 1.

INDYCAR SERIES: Rinus van Kalmthout, aka Rinus VeeKay (21).

NASCAR: Loris Hezemans (25).

W SERIES: This women's class features Beitske Visser (27) and Emely de Heus (19).

A nice list, although for now only Nyck de Vries is competing in the premier class of motorsport. But despite a number of world titles in Formula 2 and on behalf of Mercedes in Formula E, the 27-year-old Dutchman has yet to win one. He did recently appear in action on behalf of Williams during the first practice session for the Spanish Grand Prix, and McLaren and Mercedes have already indicated that they may also invite Nyck de Vries for a similar session as in Barcelona this season. Still Nyck de Vries can wax lyrical about that first time: "Every driver dreams of Formula 1 and in Barcelona a piece of that dream came true. For the first time I was driving among all those other drivers. It was really exciting. It was also nice that I was faster than Nicholas Latifi (with Alex Albon one of the two regular drivers at Williams; ed.). In any case, I greatly appreciated finally getting that opportunity. Just a taste of the greatness of Formula 1. That also became clear to me during the press conference after my first practice. Three times as many journalists attended than after my Formula 2 world title. Meanwhile, I wait and see and take what I can get as a professional driver. One week in New York with Formula E and the next with Endurance in the Middle East. I may be 27, but fortunately I look a lot younger. Let them think I'm still a rookie."

Former Formula 1 driver Jan Lammers explains the complexity of career planning in motorsport. "The process through Formula 4, Formula 3 and Formula 2 is still reasonably manageable. Also in terms of sponsorship. Formula 1 is a completely different story. Outside of a super talent like Max Verstappen, there is really nothing to plan for there. First of all, due to drivers with rich backers buying in, which is still pure necessity for some teams. Second, there is a huge supply and then it becomes fine-tuning of all kinds of details for each team. To get in between that is really quite complex." One talent who has almost completed his roadmap towards Formula 1 is 21-year-old Richard Verschoor, who for the time being is having a shaky season in Formula 2 for Italian team Trident. The class that in recent years served as a springboard toward Formula 1 for Charles Leclerc, George Russell, Lando Norris and Mick Schumacher. By capturing the title in Formula 2 (Charles Leclerc, George Russell and Mick Schumacher) or standing out by the way of racing (Lando Norris).

Nyck de Vries: "Just a taste of the greatness of Formula 1. That also became clear to me during the press conference after my first practice session. Three times as many journalists attended that than after my Formula 2 world title."

Jan Lammers has also charted a course for his 13-year-old son René. According to many experts a talent of the outer category, who for now is working in a way that has many parallels with the way Max Verstappen was prepared for Formula 1 by his father Jos. Like Max at the beginning of his career, Lammers Jr. is currently very successful in karting. For example, René Lammers immediately won the opening race of the season in the World Series Karting Super Masters, where the great talents of the future race in the OK Junior class.In addition, he competes in the FIA European Championship and there, too, the driver of Italian Parolin Motorsport is considered a candidate for the title. To what extent is his son now triggered by Max Verstappen? Jan Lammers: "Of course it has stimulated him enormously and Max's racing still inspires him. In addition, it is clear that René has the racing DNA in him from birth and from home. Because his above-average qualities quickly surfaced, we set to work on that. Based on the principle that there must first be a win before taking the next step." Enthused by the successes of Max Verstappen, sponsors also turned out to be attracted to another young winner. Jan Lammers: "It is absolutely a fact that in motorsport now it is very favorable to get people on board. Whereas in the past I often had to tread carefully, now sponsors sign up spontaneously. By now, 25 to 30 sponsors have committed themselves to René, which means he is covered for 2023 and 2024. After that, Formula 4 will be fine, and we still have time to map out Formula 3. In terms of planning, this is wonderful, in fact we've never had it so nice." Incidentally, there has not yet been any contact between René and Max. Father Jan: "That hasn't happened yet. Doesn't seem so strange to me, when you see Max's overcrowded schedule. I have personal contact mainly with my buddy Jos Verstappen. With him I occasionally catch up."

Remain the two other global classes. At least, the IndyCar and NASCAR are mostly very American. As a result, the effect of Max Verstappen is a lot less there. Only for the past year has Formula 1 been on the rise in the U.S., thanks largely to the successful Netflix production Drive to Survive. Produced by Formula One owner and media giant Liberty Media, this reality series, starring the drivers, proved to be a hit. Especially with the American youth, which is why Formula 1 is now in the process of making up for its traditional disadvantage to IndyCar and NASCAR.Which makes it clear that Rinus van Kalmthout in the IndyCar Series and Loris Hezemans in NASCAR have to do a lot on their own. Although Rinus van Kalmthout, known in America as Rinus VeeKay, has the same sponsor as Max Verstappen with Jumbo. And that is certainly no coincidence. As in the project of René and Jan Lammers, performing and especially winning is the only way for Rinus VeeKay to get noticed in America. In this respect, he cannot complain, as he has already taken pole position once, won one race in Indianapolis and recently reached a speed of no less than 375.311 kilometers per hour at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The third fastest time ever driven at the home of the world-famous Indy 500. That record, by the way, is still held by another Dutchman: Arie Luyendijk. The two-time winner of the Indy 500 drove 5.3 kilometers faster in 1996 (!).

Then the NASCAR Cup Series, the highest level of American stock cars. With this year's debut of Dutchman Loris Hezemans, scion of a well-known racing family and winner of the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series. His father Toine and entrepreneur Ernst Berg formed a team around the 25-year-old driver, Team Hezeberg, and provided two Ford Mustangs that are allowed to be in action on the regular circuits in America. Ernst Berg: "After the success in Europe, Toine wanted to take the next step with Loris. That opportunity presented itself with the introduction of the Next-Gen car at NASCAR. Until then, NASCAR was so specifically American that there was really no beginning for Europeans. Especially in a technical sense. The arrival of the Next-Gen car changed things completely. Instead of those old bins, there was suddenly the opportunity to get serious about the chassis and other aspects of the car. It is the first NASCAR car with an independent suspension and a European sequential gearbox. A real racer." This is how technical difference can be made, and Team Hezeberg is now trying to seize that opportunity. Having previously moved in with Reaume Brothers Racing in the state of North Carolina, it is now also starting cooperation with the reputable English engineering company M-Sport.

This season Team Hezeberg will start on all regular tracks in America, because for racing on the ovals Loris Hezemans still needs a special license. The ambition of Toine Hezemans and Ernst Berg is evident from the fact that they have attracted none other than Jacques Villeneuve as their second driver. Indeed, the former Formula 1 world champion and winner of the Indy 500. Unlike other racing classes, there is no Max effect in NASCAR. Ernst Berg: "Being Dutch is not an advantage here. You have to perform and win and only then will they look at where you come from. We are doing this whole project entirely on our own. Nevertheless, Max Verstappen's achievements are an extra motivation for every Dutch driver to get the maximum out of themselves."

Needless to say, Dutch motorsports is alive as never before. The input in both Formula 1, IndyCar and NASCAR is even unique. Meanwhile, the wait is on for Max Verstappen's successor. In any case, René Lammers is someone to keep a serious eye on; furthermore, there has been a huge increase in young karters. Once the most misunderstood sport in the Netherlands, karting tracks are springing up like mushrooms. And that in turn increases the chance of a new super talent.

Thanks to the Effect of Max.

MASTERS MAGAZINE

In the summer edition of MASTERS, an interview with Sven Kramer, a driving impression of the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport and an examination of Max's Effect. But above all, it features people who bring light into the darkness. Like Henk Jan Beltman, who took over Tony's Chocolonely because with a business you can make the world a more beautiful place. Chef Emile van der Staak, who has the ambition to change our food culture and therefore cooks with plants and vegetables sourced from the food forest. Designer Nienke Hoogvliet, who has introduced natural seaweed paint as an alternative to harmful textile dyes. And Anna Nooshin, who denounces the current social media culture of pretty pictures. In her documentary, she also shares the less beautiful aspects of her life. All of them people who ask questions, present mirrors, make steps. Steps toward a healthier world and more understanding society.

MASTERS #50