Max Verstappen insists fans only boo him because he’s winning
Max Verstappen insists fans are only booing him ‘because he’s a winner’ after being the only driver to be subjected to hostile public reaction at the induction ceremony and again after his brilliant Miami Grand Prix triumph
Max Verstappen has claimed he is only booed for being a winner.
The world champion was scolded before and after the Miami Grand Prix, which he won with a brilliant drive from ninth place.
His treatment was all the clearer as the drivers were introduced to the grid in a pre-race show devised by Formula 1’s progressive bosses led by CEO Stefano Domenicali.
Rapper LL Cool J led the ceremonies, with Verstappen being the only driver to receive a hostile reception.
The reigning two-time world champion, who leads his Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez at the top of the standings by 14 points, said: “If I were at the back, nobody would do anything in terms of reaction, right?
Two-time world champion Max Verstappen insists fans only boo him for being a winner
Verstappen was the only driver to suffer abuse at the pre-race induction ceremony hosted by American rapper LL Cool J
“It’s normal that they don’t like whoever wins. So this is something that is absolutely fine with me as long as I’m on top.
‘That is the most important. I’ll take the trophy home and they’ll go back to their homes and have a nice evening.’
It is not surprising that Verstappen was not a fan of the driver introductions. He was not alone, with Mercedes’ George Russell among the critics.
Russell said it interrupted his preparations and called it undesirable to stand in the sun for half an hour in overalls.
Verstappen’s opinion was slightly different. He said, “I had prepared enough beforehand to talk to my engineers. But this is a personality issue.
“Some people like to be in the spotlight more, some don’t. I personally don’t. So to me what they did today is unnecessary.
“I prefer to talk to my mechanics, walk to my car, put on my helmet and drive.
“Of course I understand the entertainment value. I hope we don’t have that every time because we have a very long season.
Verstappen was also met with hostility after his brilliant victory in Miami
“It kind of depends on the audience what kind of entertainment they want.”
But the initiative was not without supporters, led by Lewis Hamilton. The Mercedes star said: “Formula 1 is trying new things and trying to improve the show. I fully support that.
“I grew up listening to LL Cool J, and LL Cool J was there. You look around and will.i.am is there too, and he’s an incredible performer. I thought it was cool.’