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Max Verstappen 'won't attend F1 event in England again' as FIA release statement

Max Verstappen will go into the upcoming Formula 1 season as defending champion but the treatment of the Red Bull driver at a recent event in London hasn't been well-received

[Jos Verstappen in November 2024]

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Jos Verstappen has spoken about behaviour towards his son Max(Image: Getty Images)

Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen has "no appetite" for more F1 events in England after being greeted with pantomime booing at a recent London appearance, his father Jos has claimed.

Red Bull driver Verstappen and team principal Christian Horner were both met with boos at a season launch event at the O2. All 20 drivers set to take part in the 2025 season were in attendance in the capital, with a huge crowd greeting the competitors.

The reigning champ defended his title last season despite a late-season rally from Lando Norris. He was also locked in a vocal feud with George Russell, another of his rivals heading into the upcoming campaign.

The reaction to Verstappen and Horner was a pointed one, though, prompting Jos to call out the behaviour. The 52-year-old, who started more than 100 grands prix in his own F1 career, made his feelings clear on antics which he considered 'shameful'.

"In itself I thought it was a reasonable set-up, only I thought it was shameful what happened there with Red Bull Racing," Jos Verstappen told RaceXpress (via GPblog). "That Christian Horner was booed like that, and Max was booed too. Look, then you do it for Formula 1, you are there to promote the sport and then you are booed by the public. I don't think that's acceptable.

"I get it, because Max is the only one who fires up those Englishmen and says exactly how things are. But I don't think this is acceptable, it's really a disappointment what happened there.

"No, 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'.

"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."

Was Max Verstappen treated unfairly? Have your say in the comments section

[Max Verstappen at the O2 in London]

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Max Verstappen at the O2 in London(Image: Formula 1 via Getty Images)

The FIA put out a statement in reaction to the events. Great rivalries throughout the history of motorsport have contributed to making it such an exciting experience for fans. But what underpins sport at all levels is a culture of respect," a spokesperson for the body said.

"As such, it was disappointing to hear the crowds 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.

"As part of the FIAs commitment to protect the integrity of the sport, we are leading a coalition tackling online abuse in sport under the banner of our United Against Online Abuse campaign. We stand with all of our competitors, officials, volunteers, and fans to unite against this growing threat. We urge the sporting community to consider the impact of their actions both online and offline.

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