The Hypocrisy of British F1 Fans – They Love Drama, But Not When It’s Against Them

If there’s one thing that fuels F1 drama, it’s controversy. And Max Verstappen? He’s always in the thick of it. Now, the three-time world champion is reportedly considering boycotting future F1 events in England after being met with jeers and boos at the F1 75 launch event in London. His father, Jos Verstappen, has slammed the reception as “shameful” and “unacceptable.”

But is Max overreacting, or is this just the latest chapter in his never-ending feud with British motorsport fans? The tension between Verstappen and the UK crowd has been brewing for years, and it doesn’t look like it’s going away anytime soon. In fact, this latest incident might just be proof that the hostility is reaching new heights.

The O2 Arena in London was buzzing as fans gathered for the F1 75 event, eager to see each team unveil their livery for the new season. It was supposed to be a celebration of the sport—a moment for fans to interact with their favorite drivers, see the new cars up close, and get hyped for the upcoming season. But when Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and team principal Christian Horner took the stage, the cheers quickly turned into a chorus of boos.

Why? Take your pick—lingering bitterness over Abu Dhabi 2021, Red Bull’s iron grip on the sport, or perhaps just Horner’s ongoing PR disasters. Whatever the reason, British F1 fans weren’t holding back.

Jos Verstappen was watching from Belgium and was outraged. “You are there to promote the sport, and then you get booed like that?” he told RaceXpress. “That’s not acceptable.” He added that he believes his son doesn’t deserve the treatment he receives from the British crowd, especially considering his accomplishments in the sport.

Verstappen, for his part, didn’t let the boos rattle him. He remained composed on stage, unfazed by the negativity. But behind closed doors, it seems he’s had enough.

Verstappen has never had the warmest relationship with the British crowd, especially after his dramatic 2021 crash with Lewis Hamilton at Silverstone. And after this latest backlash, Verstappen Sr. made it clear—Max has no plans to attend future F1 launch events in England.

“Max has no appetite for that,” Jos said. “To be booed like that in front of 25,000 people? If this is in England next year, they definitely won’t see him.”

A bold claim—but let’s be real. Would F1 really let its biggest star avoid media events in one of its most important markets? Probably not. However, Verstappen skipping unnecessary PR obligations? That sounds like peak Max behavior.

Even if Verstappen does avoid non-essential UK appearances, it won’t stop him from racing at Silverstone. And when he does, you can bet the tension will be electric.

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room—are British F1 fans just sore losers?

Verstappen’s dominance has been relentless, and British fans haven’t had a homegrown champion since Hamilton’s last title in 2020. Is all this booing just frustration spilling over?

It wouldn’t be the first time British fans turned a driver into a villain. Schumacher, Vettel, Alonso—they’ve all been targets of the UK crowd’s hostility. But something about Verstappen seems to get under their skin in a different way.

Is it because he ended Hamilton’s reign? Is it because he’s unapologetically blunt? Or is it simply because he doesn’t care whether fans love or hate him?

Whatever the reason, Verstappen is living rent-free in the minds of many UK-based F1 fans.

This isn’t the first time Verstappen has clashed with British F1 culture, and it won’t be the last. He’s the ultimate anti-hero to Hamilton’s loyal fanbase. He refuses to play the media’s game. He wins—repeatedly. And he doesn’t mind rubbing it in.

The hostility escalated in 2021 after his terrifying crash at Silverstone, when Hamilton and Verstappen made contact at Copse Corner. Max hit the barriers at high speed, suffering a 51G impact. British fans cheered Hamilton on as he won the race, while Verstappen was in the hospital for precautionary checks. That moment became a defining point in their rivalry.

Even now, years later, the Silverstone incident remains a sore spot. Every time Verstappen steps onto British soil, it feels like unfinished business.

Of course, Verstappen’s strained relationship with British fans isn’t just about him—it’s about Red Bull, too.

Red Bull’s domination in F1 has been frustrating for many, especially Mercedes and Ferrari supporters. The team’s overwhelming success has led to accusations of bending the rules, overspending, and political maneuvering behind the scenes. And with Christian Horner at the helm—one of the most divisive figures in the paddock—it’s easy to see why Red Bull has become the perfect villain.

With Horner embroiled in recent controversies and Verstappen showing no signs of slowing down, the tension between Red Bull and British F1 fans is unlikely to ease anytime soon.

Some say Max should embrace the boos, just like other F1 greats before him. Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher thrived on being ‘villains’ to some fans. If anything, the jeers only make Verstappen more dangerous on track.

In some ways, Verstappen’s situation mirrors that of Sebastian Vettel in his Red Bull days. Vettel was relentlessly booed during his dominance, especially after the infamous “Multi 21” controversy with Mark Webber. But once his dominance faded, fans warmed to him. Will the same happen with Verstappen, or will the animosity last for as long as he’s winning?

Will Max Verstappen actually boycott England? Probably not.

Will he remain F1’s most polarizing driver? Absolutely.

The bigger question is—how long will this animosity last? Will British fans ever move on from Abu Dhabi 2021? Will Max ever soften his stance on the UK crowd? Or are we locked into a never-ending cycle of boos, controversy, and hard racing?

One thing’s for sure: F1 is a whole lot more entertaining when there’s a villain. And right now, Max Verstappen is playing that role to perfection.