The 2025 Formula One season is fast approaching and the anticipation reached new heights with the F1 75 livery launch event at The O2 in London. It was the first major opportunity for fans to get a glimpse of the cars that will be competing this year. With all 20 drivers on stage alongside their new machines, the event was set to be a grand spectacle.
However, the evening did not go quite as planned for one team. Red Bull Racing and their star driver Max Verstappen received a mixed reception, with sections of the crowd booing both the Dutchman and team principal Christian Horner. This prompted an official response from the FIA, who condemned the negative reaction as “disappointing”.
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A celebration with a few missteps
As Formula One continues to evolve into a global entertainment product, Liberty Media wanted the F1 75 event to be more than just a standard car launch. Held in one of London’s most iconic venues, it featured elaborate presentations from each of the ten teams.
Some manufacturers opted for a straightforward approach, unveiling their cars with minimal fanfare, while others took a more theatrical route. The Racing Bulls, formerly known as AlphaTauri, made an impact with a dramatically different livery that stood out from the rest of the grid. McLaren, celebrating their resurgence in competitiveness, proudly displayed their latest car alongside their previous championship-winning machines, including the Constructors’ Championship trophy.
British fans reserved one of the loudest ovations of the night for Ferrari reserve driver Oliver Bearman, signalling their excitement for a potential new home-grown talent in the sport.
However, Red Bull’s presentation was not quite as smooth. The reigning world champions opted for a lengthy introductory video before bringing Verstappen and new team-mate Liam Lawson on stage. The drivers made a brief appearance alongside their car, but left without giving an interview – the only team to do so.
The decision seemed to alienate sections of the crowd who were expecting more engagement from the four-time world champion and his team. As a result, there were boos when both Verstappen and Horner took to the stage. Although Verstappen’s welcome was partially drowned out by cheers, the reaction was enough to cause concern within the FIA.
FIA reacts to Verstappen and Red Bull booing
Shortly after the event, the FIA released a statement addressing the negative reception directed at Verstappen and Horner. The governing body expressed its disappointment at the reaction and called for a greater sense of respect within the sport.
The statement read:
“Great rivalries throughout the history of motorsport have helped to make it such an exciting experience for fans.”
“But what underpins the sport at all levels is a culture of respect. So it was disappointing to see the tribal reaction of the crowd to FIA Formula One World Champion Max Verstappen and his Red Bull team principal and CEO Christian Horner at the F1 launch in London.”
The FIA went on to highlight the contributions both Verstappen and Horner have made to the sport and urged fans to consider their actions, both online and in person:
“Max and Christian have both made huge contributions to the sport we love. Let us not lose sight of that in the season ahead”.
“As part of the FIA’s commitment to protecting the integrity of the sport, we are leading a coalition to tackle online abuse in sport under the banner of our United Against Online Abuse campaign.”
The governing body also reiterated its stance against harassment and incivility in motorsport:
“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”.
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Damon Hill’s simple but strong response
After seeing the FIA’s statement, Damon Hill, a frequent commentator on the sport, responded in a direct and somewhat cheeky manner. In a post on his Instagram story, the 1996 World Champion wrote just four words:
“Telling off the crowd.”
Hill’s comment echoed what many fans were already thinking. Booing is nothing new in sport, especially in Formula One, where rivalries and partisanship run deep. While some may view it as unsportsmanlike, others see it as an inevitable aspect of competition, especially when a driver has been dominant for multiple seasons.
Verstappen Aston Martin test at Paul Ricard
Will it affect Verstappen? Probably not
Max Verstappen has never been one to let outside noise dictate his performance. He has been at the centre of controversy over the years, but continues to thrive under pressure. Whether it’s on-track clashes, tense rivalries or fan reaction, Verstappen has always responded in the same way – by winning.
If anything, the negative reaction to the F1 75 event could serve as an extra motivation for the Dutchman. His on-track battles with Lando Norris last season fuelled a growing rivalry between the two, and some British fans may still hold a grudge against Verstappen for past incidents.
Last year’s Qatar Grand Prix provided a glimpse of how Verstappen uses rivalries to fuel his performance. His on-track feud with George Russell only seemed to make him more determined to dominate this weekend. If British fans continue to boo him at Silverstone later this year, it’s unlikely to have any real impact beyond adding to the drama.
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The bigger picture: Red Bull’s prospects for the 2025 season
While the F1 75 event may have left Red Bull with mixed feelings, the real focus remains on the season ahead. Last year, Red Bull faced a late season challenge as McLaren, Mercedes and Ferrari closed the performance gap. Although Verstappen went on to win his fourth consecutive title, the margins were narrower than the dominant early-season performances suggested.
The Bahrain preseason tests will be the first real indication of whether Red Bull have maintained their advantage or if their rivals have caught up. If they remain the benchmark, Verstappen will once again be the title favourite and his response to criticism will be the same as it always has been – to deliver results on track.
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Bottom line
The FIA’s statement on the booing controversy at the F1 75 event reflects a wider concern about respect and sportsmanship in Formula One. However, the reaction to Verstappen and Horner was far from unprecedented in a sport driven by intense rivalries. Damon Hill’s succinct response – “telling off the crowd” – captured the sentiment of many, suggesting that fans will continue to express their feelings as they see fit.
Regardless of the debate over the crowd’s reaction, Verstappen is unlikely to be fazed. If history is any guide, the Dutchman will use any negativity as fuel for another dominant season. With pre-season testing just days away, all eyes will be on Red Bull’s 2025 challenger to see if it can give Verstappen the tools to challenge for a fifth consecutive title.
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I wonder if Damian Hill response would have been the same if it happened to Lewis Hamilton, I think not then we would hear words like disrespect, disregard, racism and the likes.You never win with utter bias. Max is the reigning world champion show some respect.
Max is a petulant child who benefitted from corruption from start to present. Fuck him.
FIA is as corrupt as FIFA.
Say what you want, but booing is a form of public bullying and we are all united against it right?
It takes a person with no class, little self respect and respect for others, no manners and no self discipline. Surely this is not something that the Royal Family woud endorse, correct or wrong?
I follow all sorts of sports. There is NO reason to boo anyone, at any time, in any sport. If you are not a fan, be silent. If you are a fan, cheer. The noise level difference will still make your point – effectively.