Verstappen insists "not up to me" to prevent Dutch fans from booing Hamilton
Verstappen insists "not up to me" to prevent Dutch fans from booing Hamilton
Max Verstappen has insisted it is not up to him to prevent the Dutch fans from booing F1 title rival Lewis Hamilton at Zandvoort this weekend.
The Red Bull driver will start his first home grand prix with masses of his 'Orange Army' in attendance hoping to see their hero take the championship lead with a win.
Tempers flared between the two drivers after their collision at the British Grand Prix in July, with Verstappen's fans then booing Hamilton at the Hungarian and Belgian Grands Prix..
With a partisan atmosphere expected, Verstappen was asked if he felt the need to ask his supporters to refrain from booing the Mercedes driver.
"Well, I look at it like this: you know when you go to a football match, you come into a home ground, the opposition will be booed at some point," replied Verstappen.
"It is not up to the local club to go onto the speakers and say 'Guys, you cannot boo', because it will naturally happen.
"They are very passionate and they will support their local team.
"I don't think it is up to me to then say 'Guys, you cannot boo' because I am not them and I have to just focus on what I am doing on the track and I am sure most of them are here for just a great weekend to see cars racing.
"Of course, some of them will boo but I cannot decide for them. I can say 'You cannot do this' but do you really think they are going to listen to me? I just hope they will have a good weekend."
Verstappen - "It would be bad if it gives me boost"
Hamilton's home following often provides him with an added push when racing at Silverstone and when asked if any booing of the Briton would provide an extra boost for himself, Verstappen said: "That would be bad if it gives me an added boost.
"So as long as it doesn't affect Lewis, I guess that is what you want to hear right? So that is the most important.
"What I hope from the whole weekend is that everyone is having a good time and they enjoy seeing the cars on track and seeing us battling out there for the best possible result."
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
F1 legend's ICONIC car put up for sale in UK
- 49 minutes ago
Incredible statistic puts Verstappen AHEAD of Hamilton record
- 1 hour ago
Fierce rival calls Hamilton F1's GOAT in surprise admission
- 2 hours ago
Mercedes star tipped to replace struggling driver THIS season
- 3 hours ago
- 1
F1 legend issues DAMNING verdict on proposed rule change
- Today 10:57
Red Bull chief admits interest in poaching TWO rival stars
- Today 09:57
Related news
Mercedes chief lifts lid on Hamilton qualifying struggle
Zandvoort to be EXTENDED in 2024 amid rising success of the Dutch Grand Prix
Verstappen on course for ANOTHER record as Russell suffers worst Mercedes result ever
A-list celebrity photo with Sky Sports F1 pundit gets ROYAL approval
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860