Formula 1 held a first-ever season launch event last Tuesday at The O2 in London, with all ten teams in attendance to unveil their designs for the 2025 season. With 2025 representing the sport’s 75th anniversary season, F1 and the FIA held the event to help commemorate the occasion.
However, now the sport’s governing body is chastising “tribalist” booing of Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, and Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner, at the event.
The FIA released a statement noting that “[g]reat rivalries throughout the history of motorsport have contributed to making it such an exciting experience for fans. But what underpins sport at all levels is a culture of respect. As such, it was disappointing to hear the crowd’s tribalist reaction to FIA Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen and his Red Bull team principal and CEO Christian Horner, at the F1 launch in London.
“Max and Christian have both contributed greatly to the sport we love. In the season ahead we should not lose sight of that.”
The statement comes as the FIA continues to shine a light on the prevalence of online abuse in motorsport. At the start of February, the FIA — via a dedicated website named United Against Online Abuse — noted that “half of sporting officials and referees are now ‘routinely’ targeted with online abuse.”
In addition, United Against Online Abuse found that “50% of all abuse directed at competitors is misogynistic or racist, a notable rise in the past year.”
You can view the report in its entirety here.
“Last year UAOA highlighted the devastating personal toll online abuse has on competitors and athletes. This second edition report has shone a light on the equally unacceptable abuse faced by officials and referees—essential members of the sporting community who ensure our competitions are conducted fairly, robustly, and with integrity,” said Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President and Founder of United Against Online Abuse.
“While it’s encouraging to see more federations adopting anti-abuse measures, these findings show that the scale of abuse is continuing to grow. UAOA’s work in 2025 will be critical in fostering collaboration across the sporting, political, and technology sectors to create meaningful, lasting solutions that protect all members of our community.”
“We stand with all of our competitors, officials, volunteers, and fans to unite against this growing threat,” continued the FIA statement regarding F1 75 Live. “We urge the sporting community to consider the impact of their actions both online and offline.”
It is also worth noting that Verstappen and Horner were not the only figures booed during F1 75 Live. Fans at The O2 also booed the FIA’s logo when it was shown on screens during the celebration.
