FIA condemns booing of Verstappen and Horner at F1 75 event
F1 governing body urges respect, condemns booing of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Christian Horner at F1 75 event.
Formula 1's governing body, the FIA, has called for greater respect from fans following the "tribalist" booing of four-time champion Max Verstappen and his Red Bull team boss Christian Horner.
The incident occurred at the ten-team season launch held at London's O2 Arena last Tuesday, which was attended by over 15,000 motorsport enthusiasts.
The FIA itself also faced jeers from the crowd, which reserved its loudest applause for Britain's seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. The event aimed to celebrate the sport’s rich history and future, but was overshadowed by the negative fan reactions directed towards some of its key figures.
Christian Horner, who has led Red Bull to six constructors' titles and eight drivers' championships since 2010, has found himself a controversial figure, in part due to his prominent role in the popular Netflix docuseries, Drive to Survive. Additionally, Horner has made headlines for allegations of inappropriate behavior last year, of which he was cleared.
Max Verstappen, whose contentious 2021 title victory remains a sore point for many Hamilton followers, has become a primary target for boos from British fans who believe Hamilton was unfairly prevented from winning his eighth championship by decisions from the FIA-appointed race director.
An FIA spokesperson issued a statement on Saturday, emphasizing the need for mutual respect in the sport: "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 ... 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 is currently spearheading a coalition to combat online abuse in sport and has urged the sporting community to consider the ramifications of their actions both online and offline. This matter may be discussed when the FIA's World Motor Sport Council holds its first session of the year virtually on Wednesday, coinciding with the first day of Formula 1's pre-season testing in Bahrain.
Jos Verstappen, Max's father, expressed his disapproval of the booing to Dutch media, stating that his son is now reluctant to attend similar events in England. This echoes past incidents where other prominent drivers, including Hamilton, have faced booing, reflecting a broader issue within the sport.
During the O2 event, both Verstappen and his new teammate, Liam Lawson, refrained from speaking on stage, leaving Horner to address the crowd alone. However, they did engage with reporters prior to the event.
As the new season approaches, the call for sportsmanship and respect from fans resounds louder than ever, with the FIA leading the charge for a more respectful and unified community.
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