Breaking news:Tributes pour in from Max Verstappen’s team and family over the tragic passing of F1 photographer Peter van Egmond…. readmore
Breaking news:Tributes pour in from Max Verstappen’s team and family over the tragic passing of F1 photographer Peter van Egmond…. readmore
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen and his close ones paid tribute to former F1 photographer Peter Van Egmond after he passed away on Thursday, January 2. The Dutch driver was amongst several from the F1 community who paid tribute to his compatriot via social media.
Van Egmond had worked extensively with the Verstappen family and clicked the 27-year-old for years on the track, apart from covering his documentaries on ViaPlay. The late 68-year-old had been terminally suffering from cancer and attended his final race at Interlagos last year, where Max Verstappen performed a masterclass on his way to a fourth consecutive world championship.
Via his Instagram stories on January 3, Max Verstappen paid tribute to Peter Van Egmond, writing:
“R.I.P Peter. A true legend of our sport and, above all, a wonderful person”.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner also paid his respect to the photographer, who had worked with the Austrian team in the past. Horner added a heartfelt note in the caption of his Instagram story:
“Very sad to hear of Peter Van Egmond’s passing, a gifted photographer and a friend to the team. Rest in Peace Peter. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to his family.”
Max Verstappen’s sister Victoria joined in to offer her respects to the fellow Dutchman by posting an emoji of an angel on her Story.
Peter van Egmond covered over 500 races during his time in the paddock, and Max Verstappen is the only F1 driver aside from Michael Schumacher to have been featured on Egmond’s Instagram account, which contains only six posts.
When Peter Van Egmond spoke about feeling emotional at Max Verstappen’s victory
Former Dutch photographer Peter Van Egmond once said that he was emotional after Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s first race win at the 2016 Spanish GP in Barcelona.
Speaking with Verstappen.com in 2017, the late F1 photographer recalled his emotional moment upon hearing the Dutch national anthem at the podium:
“My whole career I hoped to witness the Dutch national anthem during a Grand Prix weekend. When I saw Max on that podium I had a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. I really admire Max. He is six months younger than my son so I can see how special his achievements are. And the way he stays down to earth is amazing to witness.”
Opening up on his admiration for the four-time world Champion, Egmond said:
“I still feel goosebumps when I think back of Max on that podium with the Dutch flag and anthem in the background. Not many people will understand that emotion but I enjoyed every moment of that historical achievement. The fact that my pictures were seen everywhere was a nice bonus.”
The Dutch driver became the youngest F1 driver to win a race at the age of 18, holding off the challenge from the Ferrari duo of Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel on that day.
Interestingly, it was Verstappen’s first race with the Red Bull F1 team after getting promoted from Toro Rosso and replacing Daniil Kvyat.
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