With just weeks before Max Verstappen races in front of his adoring Orange Army in his home Grand Prix, organiser Jan Lammers has called on fans attending the race to show Lewis Hamilton respect.

At the best of times, the seven-time world champion could expect a boisterous welcome from the partisan fans, but in the wake of the events at Silverstone and the Hungaroring it is anticipated that the Mercedes driver can expect a hard time from local fans.

In the moments after taking pole in Hungary, as he was interviewed on the grid, Hamilton was almost drowned out by the booing from the stands, the Briton responding to the situation by saying it "fuels him".

However, while nobody expects the sort of 'Welcome to Hell' message that Manchester United faced when facing Galtasaray in 1993, Hamilton, who now leads the championship, can expect a tough ride.

Race organiser, and former racer, Jan Lammers, has called on fans attending the event to surprise Hamilton by welcoming him and showing respect.

"Sport must fraternise and we must not get into hooligan situations like with football," he told nu.nl. "It's also emotion, you don't turn an Ajax fan into a Feyenoord fan and vice versa.

"It's logical that everyone has their own preferences," he admitted, "but let's do it in a civilised way, in such a way that we surprise Hamilton with our sportsmanship and hospitality.

"We are talking about a seven-time world champion who can be compared to a Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo," he said of the Arsenal (groan) supporter. "You have to give them a big applause in a stadium and not make assumptions on just one incident."

As a court in Haarlem gives final approval to the race, having rejected claims that local government was wrong in issuing the necessary permits to the circuit, following objections from environmental groups, Lammers is confident the event will be a success, especially with the easing of COVID restrictions.

"We hope and expect that sports events will take place from September 1 as we are used to," he said. "We are not worried. It is a matter of tackling it and having confidence."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by kenji, 14/08/2021 10:41

"It never fails to amaze me. When some peoples choices, across a multitude of different sporting disciplines win or do good they cheer, clap, shout and sing whatever. Why, because they're happy at the result. Now if the opposite result applies then surely people should be afforded the same opportunity to voice their disapproval, by whatever means, booing included. I personally don't take this path but I respect [ there's that word again ] the rights of the people who do. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.....Silverstone was a perfect example of what I'm saying. Merit was in short supply I'm afraid."

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2. Posted by Motorsport-fan, 14/08/2021 9:12

"F1 fans are not football hooligans, a bit of good hearted booing and banter never hurt anyone."

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3. Posted by Max Noble, 14/08/2021 7:02

"As that marvellous gladiator Mike Tyson noted, “Everyone has a plan until they are punched in the face.” Fight hard, sure, but do it with respect. Full contact sports (martial arts, boxing, Judo) generate respect because when you are trying to thump each other’s lights out, you have to learn to take a punch as well as throw one.

It is a realm that generates respect, with the rare exception of the sociopath fighters who are only there to hurt others. Thankfully they are less that 5% of fighters.

So the fans of Lewis and V. Max, who are not even stepping into the ring, should show total respect for all those that “put on the gloves” and take up the fight. Which sadly does not mean they will have the civility to do the right thing… However, it is very mush a responsibility of V. Max and Lewis to lead by example and keep this amazing title fight utterly respectful. Where they lead, others will follow…"

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4. Posted by kenji, 14/08/2021 1:19

"IMO respect is earned by winning against all odds, such as racing tooth and nail/ wheel for wheel for every point on offer and not being handed titles on a platter with the fastest car ever to grace the worlds no.1 racing circuits for seven possibly eight years!"

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5. Posted by Endre, 13/08/2021 17:07

"Respect is earned, you can not ask for it or demand it."

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6. Posted by elsiebc, 13/08/2021 16:43

"What would you call it when one driver "works the crowd" while another driver is being interviewed post race? When the drivers show respect for each other then you can ask a crowd to do the same."

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7. Posted by Tardis40, 13/08/2021 15:48

"Good luck with that. hamilton might want to consider skipping this one."

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Dutch GP boss calls on Verstappen fans to respect Hamilton

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