Horner: Verstappen boos at F1 75 were "disappointing", but fans are passionate

Both Red Bull boss Horner and four-time world champion Verstappen were given a hostile response inside the O2 Arena

Christian Horner claimed revealing the Red Bull livery at the F1 75 event in London was like launching a new jersey in another team’s stadium as he criticised the booing of Max Verstappen.

Red Bull team principal Horner was roundly jeered by the crowd inside London’s O2 Arena last week, while reigning world champion Verstappen also received somewhat of a mixed reaction when shown on the big screens inside the venue.

Horner suggested he had no issues with his own reception but felt the booing of Verstappen was “disappointing”.

“I mean, it was a big event; it was obvious all the teams put a lot of effort into it, which was good and interesting to see,” he said during a press conference at Bahrain pre-season testing.

“Now of course, launching your car is a bit [like] launching your away strip in a home fan stadium and so fans will always back the teams and drivers that they want to, and of course, we've been the protagonists over the years.

“I guess the only disappointment I had with it was that the reception to Max as a four-time world champion, that was disappointing, but passion in sport is always going to be there. If the launch would have been in Holland, no doubt the reception would have been somewhat different.

“The fans, of course, are the DNA of the sport. I think the fandom has changed, obviously, over the last few years as we've been welcoming more and more diverse fans to the sport. Sport is polarising across any premier sport in the world.

“Fans are passionate, and they support their drivers, predominantly they support their teams, and you can't dictate that.

“So, we're delighted to race in such a big audience and you're going to get different reactions depending on where you race in the world, and that's the same in any elite sport.”

Liam Lawson, Red Bull Racing, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

The FIA called for respect from fans after commenting on the boos, which rang around the O2 for Horner in particular.

“Great rivalries throughout the history of motorsport have contributed to making it such an exciting experience for fans,” an FIA spokesperson said.

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“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 FIA Formula 1 World Champion 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.”

Asked about the FIA’s response, Horner replied: “For the FIA support, look, they've made their own comments on it. It was nothing that we certainly asked for, I certainly didn't have any conversation with the FIA following the event. It was obviously part of their campaign to stamp out online abuse.”

The F175 event received a largely positive response, especially from those in the room, and the drivers also offered their own perspective on the first-ever livery launch night.

Esteban Ocon, who stepped out onto the stage in London as a Haas driver for the first time, likened the event to one of his favourite sports.

“I think the energy was insane, honestly. When we were in the middle of the stage there and unveiling the car and the people shouting, I think it's something that will forever stick in my mind,” he said.

“It's quite crazy. I watch the UFC, and the UFC when they're in the middle of the stadium, it's quite similar.

“But we don't really get to experience that apart from Mexico drivers' parade, but we are not actually really in the middle. It's outside and it's very different. That was quite special. So yeah, it was quite incredible.”

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images

His former Alpine team-mate Pierre Gasly echoed those sentiments, before pushing for any future event to be held in his native Paris.

“I think it was a great event. At first, I'm sure the way it was perceived from the fans and the exposure was enormous for our sport, teams and sponsors,” he said.

“I'm sure a couple of tweaks here and there we can do to improve the show and improve the whole organisation and just get more out of it in the future if they want to do it again.

“But it was definitely something special. In terms of feeling, going on stage with such a crowded stadium, it's not something you get to experience as an F1 driver. So yeah, it was definitely a quite unique feeling.”