DUTCH GP bosses have appealed to fans to lay off booing Lewis Hamilton.
The Brit could face a bumpy weekend in Zandvoort as Formula One returns to the Netherlands for the first time since 1985.
The vast majority of the 105,000-capacity crowd will be cheering on their countryman, Hamilton’s title rival, Max Verstappen.
The Brit has faced jeers at the Hungarian and Belgian GPs after clashing with the Red Bull ace on the first lap at Silverstone.
But Dutch GP boss Jan Lammers has appealed for calm, insisting the seven-time world champion is treated with respect.
He said: “Show your decency when a seven-time world champion comes here. We should be proud of that.
“It is downright antisocial and unwise to yell ‘boo’. Respect is something you have to show if you want to get it for yourself.
“As motorsport enthusiasts, we have to show that we handle this situation in a better way. Make sure that other people don’t have to be ashamed.”
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Mercedes say they are treating this race just like any other despite the swathes of home fans.
And Merc boss Toto Wolff is feeling confident his team can take the fight to Red Bull and Verstappen.
He said: “F1 returns to Zandvoort this weekend for the first time in several decades.
“It’s an exciting track for the drivers because it is fast and flowing.
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“It feels like a proper old-school track, so I am sure they are looking forward to taking on that challenge.
“As a team, we’re relishing the challenge of tackling a new track, because it is new for everyone and that means fresh opportunities to find advantage.
“So we’ll be looking to hit the ground running on Friday and take the fight to our competitors. It will be exciting to see who comes out on top.”
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Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
