Verstappen Silverstone boos 'turned down' despite fan ANGER

Max Verstappen was beaten by Lewis Hamilton at the British GP

Kevin McKenna

Monday 8 July 2024 21:12

Reigning Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen was reportedly booed during his post-race interview following the British Grand Prix.

The Dutchman found the going tough at Silverstone in torrid conditions, struggling to find the pace to match his rivals before finally getting to grips with his car in the closing stages.

F1 HEADLINES: Hamilton REPLACEMENT pressure revealed as team in talks over driver RETURN

Article continues under video

Lewis Hamilton produced a stunning drive to secure his first F1 win since 2021 - and his ninth at Silverstone - ahead of Verstappen and McLaren star Lando Norris.

Despite failing to get the win, Verstappen managed to extend his lead over Norris in the drivers' championship standings as the season passed its halfway point.

The 26-year-old admitted afterwards that the result could have been much worse, given the unpredictable weather causing problems for a number of drivers and their respective teams.

Lewis Hamilton won for the ninth time at Silverstone

Max Verstappen extended his lead over Lando Norris in the drivers' championship

Broadcaster drowns out Verstappen boos

Speaking to David Coulthard before stepping on to the podium, the three-time champion reflected on his race and credited his team, but crucially, failed to congratulate Hamilton on his historic victory.

F1 pundit Olav Mol revealed this led to boos being hurled in his direction from British supporters, but believes the TV broadcasters turned down the volume in a bid to drown them out.

Speaking to Ziggo Sport, Mol said: "I heard that the sound was different than when those two Englishmen were there, so they turned it down a bit.

"If you congratulate Lewis, you know that you'll get the audience behind you, but he doesn't do that.

"When they start booing, he thinks: 'F*** off with your congratulations to Lewis'.

"Yeah, I understand that too."

Verstappen acknowledged Hamilton in the cockpit after the flag fell, but Mol hinted that the pair's often frosty relationship may also have played a part in his decision not to verbally congratulate his Mercedes counterpart.

He continued: "They respect each other, but they don't like each other very much, and that's not necessary at all."

Max Verstappen McLaren Lando Norris Hamilton Silverstone