The FIA has condemned the ‘tribalist’ Max Verstappen and Christian Horner booing at the F1 75 Live launch event held at London’s O2 Arena.
The event which marked the first-ever all-team season launch in Formula 1 history was meant to celebrate the sport’s growing global appeal and showcase the upcoming season’s cars and drivers.
However, the joint launch took an unexpected turn when Red Bull took the center stage to present its 2025 F1 challenger which received a frosty reception that got both Max Verstappen and Christian Horner booed by sections of the predominantly British crowd.
The jeering began as soon as the four-time world champion appeared on screen during the event. While some fans cheered for the Dutch driver, a significant portion of the audience responded with boos.
The reaction intensified when Horner took to the stage to deliver Red Bull’s presentation. Despite being one of the most successful team principals in Formula 1 history having led Red Bull to multiple drivers’ and constructors’ championships, the 51-year old was greeted with a frosty reception.
The hostility towards both figures highlighted deep-seated rivalries within the sport and underscored the polarized fan allegiances that have become increasingly apparent in recent years.
While the booing seemed to be only directed to Horner and Verstappen, Formula 1’s governing body, the FIA, also found itself receiving a negative reception when mentioned during the event.
This reaction was partly attributed to recent controversies including the FIA’s decision to clamp down on drivers’ swearing with stricter penalties, which has been met with criticism from fans and drivers.
Jos: Max Verstappen and Christian Horner booing ‘unacceptable’
The incident has sparked widespread debate within the Formula 1 community. Verstappen’s father, Jos Verstappen, a former F1 driver himself, expressed his dismay at the treatment his son received.
Speaking to Dutch media outlet RaceXpress, he described the booing as “unacceptable” and “embarrassing,” particularly given that the F1 75 Live event was intended to promote the sport.
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Jos noted that Max’s dominance in recent seasons has likely fueled resentment among British fans, especially as his success has come at the expense of homegrown talents like Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris.
“I get it, because Max is the only one who fires up those Englishmen and says exactly how things are,” said Jos.
“But I don’t think this is acceptable, it’s really a disappointment what happened there. Max has no appetite for that, to be booed like that in front of 25,000 people.“
Jos also revealed that Max is considering boycotting future launch events in England if such behavior persists.
“He[Max] also says: ‘If this is in England next year, they definitely won’t see me.’”
Max Verstappen echoed his father’s sentiments privately, reportedly stating that he would not attend similar events in the UK if they continue to be marred by hostility.
This stance has raised concerns about how such incidents could impact Formula 1’s efforts to grow its fan base globally while maintaining respect among its participants.
Verstappen has been a polarizing figure since his controversial first championship win in 2021, a season finale that remains a sore point for many Hamilton fans.
The rivalry between Verstappen and Hamilton has since become one of the defining narratives of modern Formula 1, often spilling over into fan interactions both online and offline.
Meanwhile Christian Horner’s criticism at the F1 75 might be largely attributed to his role as a central figure in Red Bull’s dominance over recent years amid lingering controversies surrounding his leadership.
Last year, Horner faced allegations of inappropriate behavior within Red Bull Racing though he was ultimately cleared of any wrongdoing. Nevertheless, these accusations have left a mark on his public image.
Additionally, Horner’s prominent role in Netflix’s Drive to Survive docuseries has made him a divisive figure among fans with some appreciating his candidness while others view him as overly confrontational.
FIA responds to Max Verstappen and Christian Horner booing
The FIA issued a rare public statement condemning what it described as “tribalist” behavior from fans at the F1 75 Live event.
The organization underlined that respect is fundamental to all levels of sport and expressed disappointment at the crowd’s reaction toward Verstappen and Horner.
An FIA spokesperson highlighted how rivalries have historically contributed to Formula 1’s excitement but stressed that such rivalries should not come at the expense of mutual respect among competitors and fans alike.
“Great rivalries throughout the history of motorsport have contributed to making it such an exciting experience for fans,” the FIA spokesperson said. “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.“
The FIA also used this opportunity to draw attention to its ongoing efforts to combat online abuse within motorsport through its “United Against Online Abuse” campaign. The initiative seeks to address growing concerns about toxic behavior both online and offline, which has increasingly plagued Formula 1 in recent years.
“As part of the FIA’s 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 of 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.”
