Red Bull star and reigning F1 world champion Max Verstappen didn’t take kindly to being booed by fans, at the F1 season launch event, which was held recently in London. The show was attended by 25 000 fans who were there to watch the unveiling of the driver’s new cars. The event took a sour turn when fans booed Verstappen and his Red Bull team principal, Chris Horner when they took to stage. Critics associated the cold reception with his rivalry with new Ferarri driver and Brition, Lewis Hamilton. F1 regulator, FIA sought to strongly condemn the supporter’s behaviour. “Great rivalries throughout the history of motorsport have contributed to making it such an exciting experience for fans. But what underpins sport at all levels is a culture of respect. As such, it was disappointing to hear the crowd’s tribalist reaction to FIA Formula 1 World Champion, Max Verstappen and his Red Bull Team, Principal and CEO Christian Horner, at the F1 launch in London. Max and Christian have both contributed greatly to the sport we love. In the season ahead, we should not lose sight of that,” read a statement from FIA. It further reaffirmed the commitment to protect the integrity of the sport. “We are leading a coalition tackling online abuse in sport under the banner of our United Against Online Abuse campaign. We stand with all our competitors, officials, volunteers, and fans to unite against this growing threat. We urge the sporting community to consider the impact of their actions both online and offline,” added the statement from the regulator.Although some felt that being booed is a natural reaction in the world of sport, Verstappen’s father, Jos, disagreed. “I thought it was shameful for Christian Horner and Max to be booed like that. You are there to promote the sport then you’re booed by the public. No, Max doesn’t feel like that, to be booed like that in front of 25 000 people.If this is in England next year, they definitely won’t see me, and I couldn’t agree more with him. I don’t think it’s acceptable, I get it because Max is the only one who fires up those Englishmen and says exactly how things are, but what happened is disappointing,” remarked Jos. Despite this, the four-time F1 champion remains optimistic to clinch a fifth title by the end of this season.
