Lewis Hamilton’s response to booing differs from Max Verstappen’s (Image: Getty)
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have had markedly different responses after being subjected to booing from F1 fans. The two will face off against each other once more this season, with the Brit having switched from to
The upcoming campaign was launched in London earlier this month with all the sport’s stars were present, including . However, while home favourites were greeted by a joyous reception, .
The O2 when ’s Verstappen was introduced by , and it is now claimed that the 27-year-old could in the UK next year off the back of the jeers. In stark contrast, seven-time world title winner Hamilton – who was given a hero’s welcome at the event – has had a very different reaction to being booed by fans during his career.
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Verstappen’s father, former driver Jos, made his son’s stance incredibly clear after the launch event, claiming: “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.’ I couldn’t agree more with him.”
’s team principal, , also shared his reaction to the booing, adding: “The reception to Max as a four-time world champion was disappointing.”
These admissions indicate a change of heart from the previously villain-role-loving Dutchman, who stated in 2023 regarding his being critiqued: “It is something for me which is absolutely fine as long as I am standing on the top.”
Yet, Hamilton has received his fair share of fan-based criticism throughout his illustrious F1 tenure, and he has always chosen to channel the discontent rather than threatening to withdraw from events. In 2021, Hamilton headed to Verstappen’s home of the Netherlands, and after their fanbase – nicknamed the Orange Army – aimed distaste his way, he reacted in a more accepting manner.
Verstappen was booed at the London event (Image: Getty)
“What I do is try to channel that energy that they propel towards me,” stated Hamilton. “However you want to take it, and turn it into a positive and try to take it into my driving.”
Three years prior to this admission, the British star made it crystal clear how he deals with partisan crowds. In this instance, he addressed abuse being thrown in his direction by Italian fans of the Scuderia – the outfit he has joined ahead of the new campaign.
“I think it’s acceptable,” Hamilton said regarding the boos. “It’s done in every sport. If I’m really honest, I don’t understand it, because I’ve never booed an opponent, even if it was against my team. Neither do my friends, so I don’t get the psyche behind it, but it happens in all sports. It definitely is in football and here more than others, from what I’ve noticed. But it is the way it is.
“For me, it is easy, in the arena that we are in, it is easy to allow it to get to you and allow it to have an impact on your life, but it is also quite easy to harness it and use it,” added the 40-year-old with a vastly different viewpoint to Verstappen. “That gave me so much motivation. I welcome it and if they want to keep doing it, it just empowers me.”