Jos Verstappen denounces booing at F1 75, warns of Max boycott

Jos Verstappen has warned that his son may refuse to attend future Formula 1 presentation events in England following the hostile reception the reigning world champion received at the F1 75 Live event in London earlier this week.

The Red Bull driver’s appearance on the stage at The O2 Arena was met with boos and jeering from sections of the crowd, sparking strong criticism from his father, who labeled the behavior "shameful".

The F1 75 Live event marked a first-of-its-kind spectacle for the sport, bringing together all ten teams to unveil their 2025 liveries in front of a packed crowd and a worldwide television audience.

The show opened with a musical performance before comedian Jack Whitehall took the stage, delivering an opening monologue that referenced several key figures on the F1 grid.

However, when Verstappen’s name was mentioned, sections of the British crowd responded with jeers.

The hostility continued during Red Bull’s segment, with team principal Christian Horner also facing loud boos when he took the stage. The reaction did not sit well with Jos Verstappen, who expressed his frustration and disappointment.

Jos Verstappen Blames English Crowd for Boos

Verstappen Sr. pointed to the British audience as the main source of the negativity, suggesting that his son’s dominance on track and outspoken nature have made him a divisive figure among certain fans.

“I get it, because Max is the only one who fires up those Englishmen and says exactly how things are,” said Jos, speaking to Dutch outlet RaceXpress.

“But I don’t think this is acceptable, it’s really a disappointment what happened there.

“Max has no appetite for that, to be booed like that in front of 25,000 people. He also says: ‘If this is in England next year, they definitely won’t see me.’”

Max Verstappen’s fierce rivalry with British drivers and teams – particularly Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton – has often fueled strong reactions from UK-based fans.

However, Jos Verstappen believes that such treatment undermines the spirit of the sport, particularly at an event designed to promote Formula 1.

“You are there to promote the sport and showcase the new colour schemes of the cars, but if they then go on a rampage like this, the question is what are you there to do?

“He has to get ready to go there anyway, but then you get booed like that. I think they need to take a hard look at that, because that’s not part of this sport.”

• Read also: FIA condemns ‘tribalist’ booing of Verstappen and Horner at F1 75

With the F1 75 Live event being a global spectacle, the negative reception towards Verstappen and Horner has raised questions about whether future presentation showcases should be held in the UK.

The FIA acknowledged the controversy, stating that both Max Verstappen and Christian Horner have "contributed greatly to the sport", but Jos Verstappen’s warning suggests his son may now be selective about attending such events – particularly if they take place in England.

As Formula 1 moves forward, the sport will need to carefully consider how to balance fan engagement with ensuring its biggest stars feel respected when representing the championship on a global stage.

For now, it remains to be seen whether Verstappen will follow through on his threat to boycott similar events in the future.

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