He is the champion of a generation. Max Verstappen, four-time Formula 1 world champion (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024), has completely dominated modern F1 with astonishing maturity and consistency. At just 17, he became the youngest driver to compete in a Formula 1 Grand Prix. Today, many consider him one of the greatest of all time. And behind this champion is also the coffee culture of the country where he grew up: the Netherlands.

The Netherlands and their unique coffee culture

The Netherlands is one of the world’s largest coffee consumers per capita. Dutch coffee culture is unique: it takes place in bruine kroegen – these "brown cafés," intimate and smoky, with caramel-colored walls, where the Dutch gather to talk, play cards, or simply watch time pass.

Amsterdam, the hometown of the Verstappen family, is full of authentic spots. Café de Jaren, with its terrace on the Amstel, Brouwerij 't IJ in a windmill, and specialty roasters like Bocca Coffee or White Label Coffee make Amsterdam a must-visit destination for quality coffee lovers.

Zandvoort: the Grand Prix in the dunes

The Zandvoort circuit, nestled in the dunes of the Dutch North Sea coast, returned to the F1 calendar in 2021 and immediately became one of the most popular races of the season. Verstappen is king here – the orange crowd filling the stands creates a unique, festive, almost tribal atmosphere. Before the race, the Dutch celebrate by drinking beer... and coffee.

Consistency as a philosophy

What sets Verstappen apart is his ability to be consistently close to perfection. His qualifying sessions are often flawless, his overtakes are surgical, his tire management is masterful. This level of consistency in excellence is reminiscent of a great barista’s work: every day, every service, every extraction must be at the highest possible level.

At Carrera Café, we share this ambition. No slackening, no "good enough for today." Every batch of coffee must be as good as the last – or better. This is the Verstappen philosophy applied to roasting.

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