Horner says F1 75 was like visiting a rival team's stadium after Verstappen boos · RaceFans

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner joined the criticism of fans who booed his driver Max Verstappen during last week’s F1 75 launch event.

Horner, who was also booed by some in the crowd during the show – along with the sport’s governing body, the FIA – said he was disappointed the world champion was jeered by some F1 fans.

The head of the Austrian-owned, Milton Keynes-based team likened the new pre-season event in London to visiting a rival team’s stadium.

“It was a big event,” he said. “All of the teams put a lot of effort into it, which was good and interesting to see.

“Of course launching your car is a bit like launching your away strip in a home fans’ stadium. Fans will always back the teams and drivers that they want to.

“Of course we’ve been the protagonists over the years. The only disappointment I had with it was the reception to Max as a four-time world champion. That was disappointing.

“But passion in sport is always going to be there. If the launch had been in Holland, no doubt the reception would have been somewhat different.”

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Horner said Red Bull played no role in the FIA’s condemnation of the booing targeted at him and Verstappen, which they described as “tribalist.”

“They made their own comments on it,” he said. “It was nothing that we, certainly, asked for, I didn’t have any conversation with the FIA following the event. It was part of their campaign to stamp out online abuse.”

The FIA World Motor Sports Council has a meeting scheduled for today, at which they are expected to discuss the matter.

This article will be updated.