Ruqayyah Snyder
The 'Orange Army' is a term used to refer to the supporters of Dutch racing driver Max Verstappen, who competes under the Dutch flag in Formula One with Red Bull Racing. Austria is usually a sea of orange fans for Verstappen, and the colour has become a symbol of support for him during races.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for spectators wearing orange | To support the Dutch racing driver, Max Verstappen |
| Spectator count | 140,000 |
| Spectator count during the first race | 15,000 |
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What You'll Learn
- The 'Orange Army' supports Dutch racing driver Max Verstappen
- Verstappen drives for Red Bull, which is based in Austria
- Austria is a favourite holiday destination for the Dutch
- Dutch emigrants in Austria may contribute to the large Dutch support
- Austria wants full grandstands during the Austrian Grand Prix
The 'Orange Army' supports Dutch racing driver Max Verstappen
The Austrian Grand Prix usually sees a sea of orange as spectators don the colour to support Dutch racing driver Max Verstappen. Known as the "Orange Army", the fans turn up in droves to cheer on their countryman, creating a vibrant atmosphere at the circuit.
Verstappen, who drives for Red Bull, has a strong following in Austria, with many Dutch fans travelling to the race to show their support. In 2018 and 2019, Verstappen won the Austrian Grand Prix, and he was aiming for a hat-trick of wins in 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the race was held behind closed doors, without the usual throng of orange-clad fans.
The Orange Army's absence was noted by Verstappen himself, who acknowledged that it would feel strange to race without their presence. In an interview, he shared his memories of the previous year's race, when he looked up to see the cheering fans, standing and celebrating his victory. The support of the Orange Army clearly means a lot to Verstappen and provides him with an extra boost of motivation during the race.
The choice of orange by the fans is likely a nod to the Netherlands' national colour, uniting the supporters under a single, distinctive banner. The colour also serves as a lucky charm of sorts, with orange-clad teams having a 100% success rate in EURO finals. Beyond the Austrian Grand Prix, the Orange Army has also made its presence known at Spa, another testament to their dedication and passion for supporting their homegrown talent.
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Verstappen drives for Red Bull, which is based in Austria
Max Verstappen is a Belgian-Dutch racing driver who competes under the Dutch flag in Formula One with Red Bull Racing. He arrived at Formula 1 as the youngest competitor at 17 years old. He became the youngest points scorer and then the youngest race winner at 18 years and 228 days.
Verstappen's racing style is instinctive, and he is known for his no-holds-barred attitude and hard defending. He has had some issues with his peers and paymasters due to his boldness, but his talent is undeniable.
Red Bull Racing is the F1 racing team that Verstappen drives for. The team is based in Austria and entered Formula 1 as a works team in 2004. They had previously been sponsors of the sport. Red Bull has enjoyed tremendous success in Formula 1, with Sebastian Vettel emerging as the sport's youngest quadruple champion.
Verstappen has contributed significantly to Red Bull's success, winning seven of his first ten races and claiming the World Drivers' Championship in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. He also won Red Bull's home race at the Red Bull Ring during the Austrian Grand Prix.
The "Orange Army" is a term used to describe the passionate Dutch fans who enthusiastically support Max Verstappen during Formula One races in Austria. The fans create a sea of orange at the Austrian Grand Prix, showcasing their strong support for the Dutch driver.
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Austria is a favourite holiday destination for the Dutch
The popularity of the Austrian Grand Prix among Dutch fans is such that travel packages are sold in the Netherlands, which arrange various aspects of the trip. The race weekend also coincides with the start of the holiday season for many Dutch people. In addition, some Dutch people have emigrated to Austria over the years, and they may also attend the race to support Verstappen.
The support for Verstappen in Austria is usually strong, with 140,000 spectators allowed during the second race of the 2021 season. However, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the number of spectators at the race in 2020, with the event taking place behind closed doors. The absence of the "Orange Army" was noted by Verstappen, who said it would "feel a little strange" to race without his Dutch supporters.
The presence of Dutch fans at the Austrian Grand Prix is, therefore, a combination of factors, including the popularity of the destination, the success of Max Verstappen, and the convenient timing of the race. The result is a visible display of Dutch support, with orange-clad fans filling the grandstands to cheer on their favourite driver.
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Dutch emigrants in Austria may contribute to the large Dutch support
The large Dutch support in Austria, known as the "Orange Army", may be attributed to Dutch emigrants in the country. Over the past decades, a significant number of Dutch people are believed to have emigrated to Austria, contributing to the strong presence of Dutch fans during sporting events. This was evident during the Austrian Grand Prix, where Dutch fans showed up in large numbers to support their countryman, Max Verstappen, a Belgian-Dutch racing driver. The "Orange Army" is a well-known term used to describe the passionate Dutch fans who enthusiastically cheer on their favourite athletes, creating a vibrant atmosphere with their distinctive orange attire.
The choice of orange as the colour of support is not arbitrary. Orange holds a special significance for the Dutch, as it has been historically associated with the country's royal family, the House of Orange-Nassau. The colour has become an iconic symbol of Dutch pride and unity, often worn by fans to show their patriotism and support for their national teams or athletes. During the Austrian Grand Prix, the presence of Dutch emigrants donning orange created a striking visual of solidarity and enthusiasm for Verstappen.
The impact of Dutch emigrants in Austria goes beyond their presence in the stands. It is speculated that travel packages specifically tailored for Dutch fans may also be a contributing factor. These travel packages are designed to make attending sporting events in Austria more accessible and convenient for Dutch supporters. They typically include arrangements for transportation, accommodation, and other necessary logistics, making it easier for fans to travel to Austria and show their support.
Additionally, the success and popularity of Dutch athletes, such as Max Verstappen, cannot be understated. Verstappen's impressive career, which includes being the youngest driver to compete in Formula 1 at the 2015 Australian Grand Prix and winning the Austrian Grand Prix in 2018 and 2019, has undoubtedly attracted a large following. Dutch fans, including those living in Austria, eagerly show their support for one of their country's most celebrated athletes.
The combination of Dutch emigration to Austria, the appeal of popular Dutch athletes, and the convenience of travel packages has likely contributed to the significant Dutch support witnessed during sporting events in Austria. The "Orange Army" continues to be a prominent fixture at the Austrian Grand Prix and other sporting events, showcasing their passion, pride, and unity as a community.
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Austria wants full grandstands during the Austrian Grand Prix
Austria wants to see full grandstands during the Austrian Grand Prix, with 140,000 spectators over a three-day weekend. However, achieving this goal will not be easy due to the strict COVID-19 rules in place, which may deter some people from attending.
The Austrian Grand Prix typically attracts a large number of fans, resulting in a sea of orange in support of Dutch driver Max Verstappen. Verstappen, who drives for Red Bull, has a strong following known as the "Orange Army." The 22-year-old has previously won the Austrian Grand Prix in 2018 and 2019, and will be aiming for a hat-trick of wins.
The large number of Dutch fans in attendance can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, Red Bull, Verstappen's team, is based in Austria, providing a connection between the team and the country. Additionally, Austria is a popular holiday destination for the Dutch, and there may be travel packages that make it easier for Dutch fans to attend the race.
The support for Verstappen in Austria is expected to be slightly lower during the first race but will hopefully increase for the second race, creating the desired full grandstands. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 restrictions, Austria is determined to achieve its goal of 140,000 spectators and showcase the enthusiasm of the "Orange Army."
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Frequently asked questions
Spectators in Austria are wearing orange to support the Dutch racing driver, Max Verstappen, who competes with Red Bull Racing.
Max Verstappen is popular in Austria because Red Bull, the team he races for, is based in Austria.
The "Orange Army" is a nickname given to the group of spectators wearing orange to support Max Verstappen.
