Christian Horner has expressed his disappointment over the boos directed at Max Verstappen during the F1 curtain-raiser event in London. The four-time world champion was met with jeers from a large crowd at the O2 Arena, something Horner felt was unwarranted given Verstappen’s achievements in the sport.
Both Verstappen and Horner were introduced to a lively audience, which also voiced its displeasure at the sport’s governing body, the FIA. In response, the FIA released a statement condemning what it described as “tribalist reactions” and urged fans to show respect to all competitors.
Speaking at pre-season testing in Bahrain, Horner acknowledged that F1 has always been fueled by passionate fans, but he felt that Verstappen, as a dominant figure in the sport, should have received greater recognition. He compared the experience to a team launching its away kit in a rival stadium, where reactions can be mixed. However, he maintained that the negative response to Verstappen was unfortunate.
F1 has seen a significant shift in its fanbase in recent years, particularly as the sport has grown in global popularity. This has led to more intense rivalries between supporters of different teams and drivers, particularly on social media. The FIA has been actively working to address online hostility through its United Against Online Abuse campaign.
Horner acknowledged the evolution of the sport’s audience, noting that it has become more diverse, bringing with it heightened competition and stronger allegiances. While he recognized that fans will always be passionate about their favorite teams and drivers, he emphasized the importance of maintaining respect.
Despite the mixed reception for Red Bull, McLaren was greeted with loud cheers at the event, a reflection of their strong performance in the previous season, where they triumphed in the constructors’ championship. McLaren’s team principal, Zak Brown, took a different view on the reactions, arguing that they are simply a natural part of the sporting world.
Brown pointed out that fan reactions, whether cheering or booing, have long been a part of sports culture. He noted that similar expressions of support and opposition are common across all major sports and should not be seen as excessive. According to him, the atmosphere at the event was far from hostile and did not cross any lines into inappropriate behavior.
He further argued that compared to the kind of backlash seen on social media, where negativity can sometimes spiral out of control, the reactions at the F1 event were relatively tame. In his view, fans engaging with the sport in this way is a testament to their passion rather than an issue that needs to be addressed.
Ultimately, while opinions on the nature of fan reactions may differ, it is clear that Formula One’s growing popularity has led to heightened emotions. As the season gets underway, drivers and teams will continue to face both adulation and criticism from an ever-expanding global audience.
