Red Bull's Christian Horner defends booing at F1 75 launch

BAHRAIN - Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner likened the boos he and driver Max Verstappen received at Formula 1's 2025 season launch to "launching your away strip in a home fans' stadium." This comparison comes after the hostility they encountered at London's O2 Arena, where all ten teams unveiled their new liveries together for the first time.

Red Bull's Christian Horner addresses boos at F1 75 launch event.

Despite the loud jeers, Horner remained unfazed but expressed his belief that Verstappen, a four-time world champion, deserved a more respectful reception.

"It was a big event. Obviously, all the teams put a lot of effort into it, which was interesting to see," said Horner during a press conference on the opening day of F1 preseason testing. "Now, of course, launching your car is a bit like launching your away strip in a home fans' stadium. Fans will always back the teams and drivers that they want to. Of course, we've been the protagonists over the years."

Horner's main concern was the disrespect shown to Verstappen. "I guess the only disappointment I had with it was the reception to Max, as a four-time world champion, that was disappointing," Horner noted. "But passion in sport is always going to be there. If the launch had been in Holland, no doubt the reception would have been somewhat different."

The governing body of Formula 1, the FIA, also faced boos when its logo was shown. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem condemned the negative crowd behavior, calling it "tribalist."

Horner emphasized the role of fans in the sport, acknowledging that diverse reactions are a natural part of live events. "Fans are the DNA of the sport," Horner added. "I think the fandom has changed over the last few years as we've welcomed more diverse fans to the sport. Sport is polarizing, and competitive sport across any premier discipline is no different."

"Fans are passionate, and they support their drivers; predominantly, they support their teams. And you can't dictate that. We're delighted to race in front of such a big audience. You’re going to get different reactions depending on where you race in the world. That's the same in any elite sport."

Whether F1 will continue to celebrate each new season in a similar manner remains unclear, with this year's event coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the sport.

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