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Super Max!
Super Max!
from Wikipedia
"Super Max!"
Single by Pitstop Boys
LanguageDutch
Released16 July 2016
Length3:45
LabelLongstream Media
SongwriterNiels Lingbeek
ProducerNiels Lingbeek
Pitstop Boys singles chronology
"Super Max!"
(2016)
"Super Max! Yohé, Yoho!"
(2021)

"Super Max!" is a song performed by Dutch band Pitstop Boys [nl], who are fans of Dutch Formula One driver Max Verstappen. The song was released on 16 July 2016, accompanied by a music video.

Background

[edit]

Max Verstappen is a Dutch Formula One driver who made his debut in the series in 2015, driving for Toro Rosso. In 2016 at the Spanish Grand Prix, he would switch seats with Daniil Kvyat, moving to Red Bull Racing, the senior team for Red Bull. He won in his first race with Red Bull, becoming the youngest ever winner, the youngest driver to score a podium finish and the youngest ever to lead a lap of a Formula One race, breaking the previous records held by Sebastian Vettel. In the process, he also became the first Dutchman to win a Grand Prix and the first Grand Prix winner born in the 1990s.

The Pitstop Boys [nl] are a group of two (formerly three) Verstappen fans, Rob Toonen and Jeroen Hilgenberg (and formerly Marco Mars), who are part of the "Oranje Leger" (lit.'Orange army'), a colloquial name for Verstappen's supporters.

A follow-up to the song was made for Verstappen's title run against Lewis Hamilton in the 2021 season, titled "Super Max! Yohé, Yoho!".[1] They also made another song, "Let's Go Lando", in support of British Formula One driver Lando Norris.[2] And in 2023 they made another new song called "Vamos Fernando" in support of Fernando Alonso who had a strong start to 2023 for Aston Martin.

Reception

[edit]

The song became a viral hit, after Verstappen continued to gain success in Formula One. The song was used as a fight song for whenever Verstappen won, as an Internet meme for anything that Verstappen did, or as a chant within the "Oranje Army".[3] Verstappen was embarrassed at first by the song.[1] He won his first drivers' championship in the 2021 season, causing the song to chart on Spotify's Viral 50 in several countries, including hitting number one in the Netherlands, and number five in the global chart. Verstappen was also seen partying to the song after his championship win.[4] The song was also played prior to the start of the 2021 Dutch Grand Prix, Verstappen's first-ever home race in his Formula One career.

Track listing

[edit]
Digital download, streaming
No.TitleLength
1."Super Max!"3:45

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Super Max! is a Dutch-language released in 2016 by the band Pitstop Boys, celebrating Formula One driver Max Verstappen's maiden Grand Prix victory at the . The Pitstop Boys, consisting of Rob Toonen, Marco Mars, and Jeroen Hilgenberg at the time of the song's creation, formed the band specifically in response to Verstappen's breakthrough win in on May 15, 2016, marking the 18-year-old Dutch driver's first triumph while racing for . Produced in collaboration with Niels Lingbeek and with a directed by Thijs van Reve and filmed at Kartbaan Oldenzaal in the , the track features upbeat, chant-like lyrics praising Verstappen's speed and skill, encapsulated in the chorus "Super Max, YoHé, YoHo!" Initially gaining traction among Dutch Formula One fans, "Super Max!" achieved widespread viral success in late 2021 after driver shared the song during a Twitch stream amid his on-track rivalry with Verstappen, coinciding with Verstappen's first world drivers' championship title at the . This exposure propelled the song into Spotify's global viral charts and boosted its views beyond 11 million, transforming it into an anthem played at races and fan events. Following its resurgence, the Pitstop Boys—now a duo after Mars's departure—released an English-language version of "Super Max!" in 2022 to reach a broader international audience, alongside other F1-themed tracks like "Super Max YoHé YoHó!" (2021) and "Vamos Fernando!" (2023). The song's enduring popularity underscores the passionate fan culture surrounding Verstappen and modern , with the band continuing to produce music tied to key moments.

Background and development

Inception

"Super Max!" originated as a tribute to Max Verstappen's groundbreaking debut victory in , which occurred at the on May 15, where the 18-year-old Dutch driver became the youngest-ever winner in the sport's history. This triumph marked Verstappen's first race with after his mid-season promotion from Toro Rosso, highlighting his rapid ascent during a standout campaign that captivated Dutch enthusiasts. The song emerged from enthusiastic Dutch fans of Verstappen. The Dutch band Pitstop Boys was formed in 2016 by Rob Toonen, Marco Mars, and Jeroen Hilgenberg specifically to celebrate Verstappen's achievements, positioning themselves as musical ambassadors for the fanbase's enthusiasm. The initial concept for "Super Max!" was developed shortly after Verstappen's success, with ideation tied to the excitement of July 2016 as the band sought to craft an energetic fan anthem honoring his burgeoning stardom and rookie-season momentum with . This fan-driven initiative aimed to encapsulate the joy and national pride surrounding Verstappen's unexpected rise, transforming admiration into a catchy, communal rallying cry for supporters.

Writing and production

"Super Max!" was conceived in 2016 by Rob Toonen, Marco Mars, and Jeroen Hilgenberg, members of the Dutch band Pitstop Boys, in direct collaboration with producer Niels Lingbeek, who handled the composition and overall songwriting. The lyrics, penned primarily by Toonen, are in Dutch and celebrate Max Verstappen's emerging dominance in 1, emphasizing his speed, skill, and the electric enthusiasm of his supporters through repetitive, chant-like refrains such as "Super Max! Yo Hé, Yo Hó!" Lingbeek served as the primary producer, leveraging his experience from prior projects with Toonen and Mars to craft the track's high-energy sound. The production was carried out under the Longstream Media label, where Lingbeek operates his studio, focusing on an anthemic style suited to live fan events with upbeat rhythms, synthesized beats, and crowd-chanting elements to evoke the thrill of race-day atmospheres. Recording took place efficiently in this setup, incorporating vocal performances from the Pitstop Boys trio alongside Lingbeek's instrumental arrangements, which prioritized accessibility and sing-along appeal over complex orchestration. This hands-on process, completed shortly after Verstappen's breakthrough wins that year, resulted in a three-minute, 45-second single released on , , capturing the raw excitement of Dutch F1 fandom in a polished yet straightforward production.

Musical content

Composition

"Super Max!" is an upbeat electronic dance track lasting 3:45, characterized by its energetic pop style and chant-like choruses designed to evoke the fervor of sports anthems. The song employs a verse-chorus format, featuring an intro, verses, pre-chorus, bridge, and repeating choruses that build intensity through layered synths and pulsating rhythmic beats reminiscent of revving race engines. Lyrically, the track centers on praising as "Super Max," highlighting his exceptional speed, daring overtakes, and triumphant victories, with specific nods to races like , , and . Themes of unyielding and national pride underscore Verstappen's portrayal as an unparalleled driver, reinforced by repetitive, crowd-chanting hooks such as "Max Max Max, Super Max Max." The production, handled by Lingbeek, integrates sampled commentator audio and electronic elements to amplify the song's high-octane, celebratory vibe.

Music video

The official music video for "Super Max!" was released on July 16, 2016, coinciding with the single's launch. Produced as a low-budget endeavor by the fan group Pitstop Boys, the video was filmed primarily at , a local karting track in the , under the direction of Thijs van Reve. The visual style blends authentic fan footage from Max Verstappen's races with animated graphics depicting high-speed action, incorporating recurring motifs of the Dutch flag to evoke national pride and excitement. Key scenes highlight pivotal moments from Verstappen's career, including clips from his breakthrough victory at the , where he secured his first F1 win with . The video intercuts these with footage of enthusiastic crowd chants at fan events and stylized animations portraying Verstappen piloting his car through intense overtakes and podium celebrations, syncing the visuals to the song's energetic rhythm. This fan-driven approach emphasizes grassroots enthusiasm, capturing the raw passion of Verstappen supporters without professional polish.

Release and promotion

Single release

"Super Max!" was officially released as a digital single on July 13, 2016, shortly after Max Verstappen's first victory. The track was distributed exclusively in digital formats through platforms including and , with no physical release issued. Longstream Media handled the distribution, aligning the launch with the 2016 season to capitalize on Verstappen's rising popularity. Initial promotion focused on engaging Verstappen's dedicated fanbase, with the song shared widely within online communities and amplified through . The accompanying premiered concurrently to boost visibility among motorsport enthusiasts.

Chart performance

Upon its release on July 13, 2016, shortly after Max Verstappen's maiden victory at the , "Super Max!" garnered modest initial attention from Dutch fans, though it did not enter official singles charts at the time. The track experienced a major resurgence in late 2021 following Verstappen's World Drivers' Championship win at the . It topped the Spotify Viral 50 chart in the and reached number 5 on the global Spotify Viral 50 chart in December 2021. This viral momentum propelled the song onto the , where it debuted and peaked at number 66 for one week on , 2021. Streaming data underscores the song's commercial impact, with over 24 million total plays on as of late 2025, primarily fueled by inclusions in fan-curated and Formula One-related playlists throughout the 2021 season. Despite lacking sustained entry on traditional singles charts, these viral and streaming metrics highlight its success as a niche anthem tied to Verstappen's achievements.

Reception and legacy

Critical response

Upon its release, "Super Max!" garnered positive attention in media for its infectious, motivational vibe that effectively channels the thrill of racing and fan support, positioning it as a quintessential sports . Publications like hailed it as an "iconic song" that went viral following Max Verstappen's early successes, emphasizing its role in amplifying Dutch supporter enthusiasm during key races. Dutch outlets similarly celebrated the track's upbeat, festive energy, with Planetzone describing the 2021 sequel "Super Max! Yo Hé, Yo Hó!" as a "carnival tune" that captured the euphoric spirit of Verstappen's title contention, complete with a simple, repetitive chorus designed for crowd sing-alongs. This simplicity was noted for its authenticity, evoking the raw passion of fan-created tributes rather than polished pop production. Formal critical reviews from mainstream music outlets remain sparse, reflecting the song's status as a niche fan production rather than a commercial single; sites like and Album of the Year list it without professional critiques, though user feedback underscores its energetic and humorous appeal despite its joke-like origins. In F1-focused blogs and publications, it has been praised for its genuine representation of supporter culture, often compared to analogous anthems like "El Nano" for , which similarly relies on rhythmic repetition and national pride to rally audiences without complex musical structures. Its chart visibility, peaking in Spotify's global viral rankings, further contextualized its reception among enthusiasts, though broader music critics have yet to weigh in extensively.

Cultural impact

"Super Max!" has been embraced by fans as Max Verstappen's unofficial , particularly during the 2021 Formula One season, where it was played following his race victories, including at the in . The track became a staple at fan gatherings and celebrations, with supporters chanting its lyrics to rally behind the Dutch driver amid his intense championship battle. The song experienced a significant viral resurgence in late 2021, coinciding with Verstappen's first world championship win in , as fans shared clips and performances widely on platforms. This renewed popularity propelled it to the top of Spotify's Viral 50 chart in the and into the global top 10, amplifying its presence among enthusiasts worldwide. Building on this momentum, the Pitstop Boys released a follow-up single, "Super Max! YoHé, YoHo!", in December 2021, which extended the original's energetic style. The group further expanded their catalog with tribute songs for other drivers, including "Let's Go Lando!" for Lando Norris in 2022 and "Vamos Fernando!" for Fernando Alonso in 2023, as well as "We Love You Maxi" in 2024 and "SuperMax La la la" in July 2025, fostering a broader niche in Formula One fan music tied to Verstappen's continued dominance, including championships in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Beyond the track, "Super Max!" has emerged as a symbol of Dutch national pride in , often featured in post-race celebrations and fan events that highlight Verstappen's achievements as a source of collective enthusiasm, with its use persisting at races like the . Its cultural resonance extends to references in media and fan discussions, underscoring its role in uniting supporters during key moments in Verstappen's career.

References

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