Formula One recently celebrated its 75th anniversary with a huge event in London, where all ten teams simultaneously unveiled their new car designs for the upcoming season. However, what was meant to be a celebration of the sport turned controversial when Red Bull Racing and reigning world champion Max Verstappen were met with a chorus of boos from the crowd.
The reaction did not sit well with the Verstappen camp, particularly Max’s father, Jos Verstappen, who strongly condemned the situation and even hinted at a possible boycott.
A celebration marred by boos
The F1 75 event, held at London’s O2 Arena, was designed to showcase the new season’s line-up and celebrate the history of the sport. But when Red Bull Racing took to the stage, it was clear that the atmosphere was anything but friendly. As team principal Christian Horner stepped forward to represent the reigning champions, he was met with an unmistakable wave of jeers from the crowd.
According to reports, it wasn’t just Horner who bore the brunt of the discontent. Max Verstappen, the dominant force in F1 in recent years, was also heckled by the crowd. The reception prompted The Independent to describe the evening as “one Christian Horner will gladly forget”.
Adding to the tension of the event was Verstappen’s previously stated reluctance to attend. In a comment made months earlier – perhaps half in jest – he had expressed his wish to be “ill” during the week of the event. Given the reception he received, the Dutch driver’s reluctance now seems prescient.
British comedian Jack Whitehall, who hosted parts of the event, acknowledged the tension by giving Verstappen a pointed introduction. While Verstappen responded with a forced smile, the moment underlined the uneasy dynamic between him and the largely British crowd.
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Jos Verstappen calls booing ‘unacceptable
In the days following the event, Jos Verstappen, a former Formula 1 driver himself, did not hold back in expressing his frustration. Speaking to Dutch outlet Racexpress.nl, Verstappen Sr admitted that while the launch itself was well organised, the reaction of the crowd was “embarrassing”.
“You’re there for F1, to promote the sport a bit, and then you get booed by the crowd,” he said, making his displeasure clear. “I think it’s unacceptable.”
Jos Verstappen admitted that Max’s dominance in recent years may have contributed to the backlash, but insisted that such treatment had no place in the sport.
“To a certain extent I understand it,” he admitted. “Max is the only one putting pressure on the English riders and telling it like it is, but I think it is unacceptable and a real disappointment what happened there.”
The booing was clearly a sore point for the Verstappen camp, with Jos even suggesting that his son might boycott future events if similar treatment continued.
“Max doesn’t want to be booed in front of 25,000 people,” he said. “He’s even said that if it’s in England again next year, they’re definitely not going to see me there, and I completely agree with him.”
The frustration extended beyond the personal feelings of the Verstappen family. Jos Verstappen urged the F1 organisers to take the matter seriously.
“If they go on like this, what are you going to do?” he asked. “He has to prepare for the season and then he gets booed like this? They should take a good look at it – it doesn’t belong in the sport.
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Verstappen’s silence raises eyebrows
Perhaps in response to the atmosphere at the event, Verstappen and new Red Bull teammate Liam Lawson – who was filling in for Sergio Pérez – chose not to address the crowd. Unlike the other 18 drivers who made brief statements, Verstappen and Lawson remained silent, leaving Horner to represent the team on stage.
This muted approach led to speculation, with The Guardian humorously describing Verstappen as playing the role of a “pantomime villain” during the proceedings.
The contrast between Verstappen’s reception and that of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton was particularly stark. Hamilton, making his much-anticipated first appearance in Ferrari colours, was greeted with a roar from the crowd. The moment was one of the highlights of the evening, as the British driver stepped onto the stage alongside his new teammate Charles Leclerc and Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur.
Dutch newspaper AD noted that Hamilton’s introduction was in stark contrast to Verstappen’s, writing: “Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton was given a hero’s welcome in his red Ferrari overalls.
For Hamilton, the energy of the event was invigorating. “I feel so full of life and energy because everything is new,” he told the crowd. “I’m just concentrating on what’s in front of me.”
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The growing divide in F1 fandom
The reception at the F1 75 event further highlighted the growing divide in the F1 fanbase. While Max Verstappen’s on-track dominance has won him legions of fans, he has also become a polarising figure, particularly in the UK, where many fans are still loyal to Hamilton. The rivalry between the two drivers – especially after their controversial 2021 title battle – has fuelled tensions that continue to manifest themselves at events like this.
The question now is whether Verstappen and Red Bull Racing will adjust their approach in response to the backlash, or if tensions between the Dutch driver and British fans will continue to escalate. If Jos Verstappen’s words are anything to go by, the situation could be reaching a breaking point.
For now, Max Verstappen remains focused on what lies ahead: the defence of his fourth world championship and the pursuit of a fifth consecutive title with Red Bull Racing. Whether he will return to England for a future F1 launch event remains to be seen.
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With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
