Max Verstappen threatens boycott after being booed at F1 event

In recent events at an F1 launch in England, Max Verstappen faced a mixed reception, receiving both boos and cheers from a crowd of approximately 15,000. This incident occurred during the F1 75 Live event held at The O2 in London, where Verstappen and Christian Horner, team principal of Red Bull Racing, were both greeted with jeers. Verstappen's father, Jos Verstappen, expressed his disappointment and deemed the crowd's behavior as unacceptable. The crowd’s reaction has led Max Verstappen to consider refusing to attend future events in England, stating that he would certainly not show up if the launch was held there again next year. This sentiment was echoed by the FIA, which criticized the “tribalist” nature of the audience's response, noting that such behavior undermines the culture of respect vital in sports. The FIA's spokesperson emphasized the need for cultivating respect within the sporting community and mentioned that this incident would likely be discussed at an upcoming World Motor Sport Council meeting. Additionally, it is believed that the event's nature could deter similar launch events in the future due to regulatory changes and the need for pre-season testing. Fans’ reactions at such events are not uncommon, but the level of hostility displayed towards a four-time world champion was noteworthy, according to Horner, who speculated that a different environment might have yielded a more supportive atmosphere. Critics of the crowd’s response included figures from within the industry, highlighting the ongoing challenges in balancing team rivalries with sportsmanship in Formula 1.