Amid the roaring engines, the F1 Barcelona GP sees a surge in booing incidents targeting drivers Ocon and Verstappen.
Two Formula 1 drivers have mixed feelings about the growing phenomenon of “booing” concerning some of their track rivals.
Before the Spanish GP, Alpine driver Esteban Ocon, ousted for 2025, was booed at a fan event in Barcelona.
When the Alpine F1 duo was announced on stage, whistles and boos sounded around the circuit, and when Esteban Ocon appeared, it became so loud that he was barely audible.
In response, event organisers displayed a message on the screen behind the drivers asking for respect and warning that “antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated and may lead to cancellation of interviews.”
Then, on the podium after the Spanish GP, race winner and three-time world champion Max Verstappen was booed by the local crowd.
“It’s never a good thing, honestly,” Lando Norris said in his post-race conference, “but people will always boo, I think, no matter what. You find it in every sport.”
Norris suggested that most boos come from “people who don’t know much about motorsport.”
“I think people should maybe appreciate more but every driver is going to get booed at some point.”
As for seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who had a particularly acrimonious relationship with Verstappen during their title battle in 2021, he suggested that the Dutchman did not deserve disrespect, but he wondered how hostile the F1 audience was towards him.
“During race weekends, there’s always a huge crowd. So Max always enjoys tremendous support. And ultimately, he’s doing a fantastic job. Every weekend, he’s up to par. He has a great team and, of course, an excellent car. You can’t fault him.”
Barcelona GP Marred by Boos for Ocon, Verstappen. Barcelona GP Marred by Boos for Ocon, Verstappen
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