MAX VERSTAPPEN sent the orange-clad fans wild by taking pole for the Dutch GP — then slammed the “stupid” ones who threw smoke bombs on the track.
Qualifying had to be stopped as a flare was removed from the live race track, while the spectator was identified and chucked out of the circuit.
A second flare was lobbed on to the track in the final part of qualifying in another dangerous moment — but then thankfully it rolled off the circuit and away from the passing cars.
Dutch Red Bull driver Verstappen blasted certain individuals who made up the 105,000 crowd at Zandvoort.
He said: “To hold flares, it’s nice, but there’s a limit to how much. However, to then throw them on the track is just stupid.
“The person who did that got removed. Just don’t do that. It’s not good for anyone.
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“You get thrown out, so you can’t see the race. And for us the session is stopped because it’s dangerous, there’s stuff on the track. So you shouldn’t do it.”
It comes after Dutch fans were accused of sexual harassment, racism and homophobia at the Austrian Grand Prix.
There were also incidents of burning Lewis Hamilton merchandise in Hungary and altercations with the police in Spa.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who will start the race in second place, also condemned the flare-throwing fans.
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He added: “It’s dangerous, so don’t do this type of thing. This shouldn’t happen.
“I don’t know if in the future we can do anything to avoid that. If a car is passing at that time, then it can create unnecessary risk.”
A spin in the final seconds for Verstappen’s Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez put paid to Hamilton’s chances of challenging for a front-row start.
The Mercedes man was forced to slow down due to the yellow flags waved for Perez’s stricken car.
However, he is confident after a strong performance all weekend and is looking to make up for his first-lap crash at Spa last weekend.
Hamilton said: “I was much happier coming into this weekend, to have a car that’s potentially fighting.
“But I just don’t understand, one weekend it can be so far off and the next weekend, all of a sudden, we’re right there. It’s confusing.
“But there are lots of positives to take from today.
“If we hadn’t had the yellow flag we would have been fighting for the front row.
“The potential is there but I have no idea whether the car is going to be good or bad at the next races.
“It’s like a mood swing. Like the characteristics of a human being, you don’t know what side of the bed you’re going to get out of.”
When quizzed about his chances of making it on to the podium, the Brit added: “I am definitely optimistic, it’s just difficult to overtake here — so we’ll see.
“I felt I could go quicker, so I hope that translates for the race, but I will definitely be pushing as hard as I can for a podium.”
Hamilton’s team-mate George Russell was also denied a higher starting berth on the grid due to Perez’s late error.
And the Brit, who will start in sixth place on the grid, also had his say on the flares — which were prohibited by security and smuggled in.
He said: “The fans and the atmosphere here is one of the best of the season, it’s impressive what they’ve done with it as an event.
“But you can’t mess around with things like this. It’s just a shame for everyone else.
“How dangerous are they? If you run over it, it’s quite sharp, it could give you a puncture. It could be harmless or cause a lot of damage.
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“It’s quite a spectacle seeing it in the stands — but I can’t imagine if you’re standing there it’s the most pleasant thing to be beside.
“It would be a shame seeing them totally banned, because it’s part of the show now, but I’d like to see people show a bit more common sense.”
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
