Max Verstappen dismissed questions over the hostile reception he appeared to obtain throughout Method 1’s official pre-season launch occasion, saying he heard no boos from the group.
He made the feedback a day after his Crimson Bull workforce principal Christian Horner, who was audibly jeered at, stated it was “disappointing” some within the crowd had booed his driver.
“There was any booing?” Verstappen requested when the topic was raised throughout in the present day’s FIA press convention. “Perhaps I’m deaf.”
Verstappen was requested about feedback made by his father, former Method 1 driver Jos Verstappen, who urged his son would boycott future occasions in Britain because of the reception he obtained in London final week.
“I don’t want to actually speak about it,” he replied. “It’s not value my time.”
Nevertheless Mercedes workforce principal Toto Wolff believes Horner, not Verstappen, was the actual goal of the group’s displeasure.
“We had been all shocked by the quantity of booing that occurred, significantly to 1 particular person,” stated Wolff.
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“There wasn’t any booing, actually, on Max. Them coming in was a consequence of what occurred earlier than.
“However that was huge and dangerous and got here as a shock to everybody. I imply, it’s his house turf and nonetheless Christian acquired these boos. Boos shouldn’t be within the sport, however in my view, that wasn’t directed to Max.”
Williams workforce principal James Vowles echoed Wolff’s phrases. “I don’t assume there’s a spot for booing,” he stated.
“We had been going there to successfully symbolize our sport that we’re enthusiastic about and we have to do not forget that it’s attempting to offer again to the world. It’s not a ‘hero or evil’-type setting.”
The FIA condemned what it described as “tribalistic” booing of Verstappen and Horner through the occasion. The game’s governing physique was additionally booed by some within the crowd at F1 75.
