Red Bull's Max Verstappen took an old-spec RB8 for a spin around Zandvoort's new and improved track as the future Dutch GP venue was formally re-opened on Wednesday.
Verstappen ran a few screaming laps of Zandvoort in the presence of two-time Indy 500 winner Arie Luyendyk, who has given his name to the new banked right-hand sweep that leads on to the track's main straight and which is one of the landmark features of the new circuit.
Ride with @Max33Verstappen for the first lap of the new Zandvoort Circuit! 💪🇳🇱#DutchGP pic.twitter.com/qHSG1cyUBA
— Aston Martin Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) March 4, 2020
Max was then waved-in by Dutch Grand Prix sporting director and former F1 driver Jan Lammers.
"It was a great opportunity to be the first person to drive an F1 car at the new Zandvoort circuit, and the track is really cool," enthused Max after his run.
"I’m really looking forward to coming back here for the Grand Prix."
The Dutch round of the F1 world championship is scheduled on May 3 and will see Formula 1 return to the Zandvoort's legendary dunes for the first time since 1985.
Check out footage of Verstappen rushing through the revised banked Arie Luyendijkbocht. Don't forget to turn up the volume!
.@Max33Verstappen maakt kennis met de nieuwe Arie Luyendijkbocht op @CPZtweets! #RTLGP #F1 #Dutchgp pic.twitter.com/grfSd8yVZj
— RTL GP (@RTLGP) March 4, 2020
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