Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton has been subject to booing from fans already this season, with fans of championship rival, Max Verstappen, booing at the Hungarian Grand Prix following the pair's controversial collision at the British Grand Prix two weeks prior.

While Hamilton did not allow the hostile crowd to affect him in Hungary, it seems likely he will suffer a similarly bitter welcome from the Dutch F1 fans. 

When asked about the situation, Verstappen said it was “not up to him” to tell the Dutch fans how to behave.

“When you go to a football match, when you go to a home ground the other opposition will be booed at some point, and it's not up to then the local club to come onto the speakers and go 'guys, you cannot boo', because it will naturally happen,

"Also in football they are very passionate and they support their local team. So I don't think it's up to me to say to them they can't boo, because I am not them and I have to just focus on what I'm doing on track," said Verstappen.

Hamilton accepts that booing was to be expected at Zandvoort and aims to channel the negative energy into something positive. 

"Of course you've seen a lot of the orange fans all over,” he said.

"I've never been someone that would go to an event and boo, but I understand it. You see it in football events, the passion that the fans have, or the dislike that some of them have of their opponents. But I respect it.

"I think I've always loved coming out to Holland. Amsterdam is one of the greatest cities. And I know I do have some Team LH fans in the Netherlands, which I really appreciate. They're probably a small portion in the grandstands out there, and I admire them for being able to withstand the boos too.

"But that's the sport. What I do is just try and turn that energy towards me, however you want to take it, and turn it into a positive, and try and put it into a drive."

When asked if he would feel the need to intervene if British fans were to boo another driver, Hamilton praised his home crowds support and highlighted his dislike for the booing of drivers.

"Well fortunately, the British fans don't do the booing.” He said.

"They're amazing, the British fans. I think they're just there for a great weekend. I don't think I've heard booing from the British fans for anyone in my time. I've got a short memory, but I'm pretty sure I haven't.

"But I don't agree with it in general for anyone. Everyone is there to do the best job they can, and everyone is trying to be the best they can be.

"But it is again, it's a part of sport, and you see it."