Ex-F1 driver feels sorry for Verstappen when he is being booed
Nov.22 - Dutch F1 GP boss Jan Lammers says he sees "sadness" in Max Verstappen's eyes when he is booed by Formula 1 spectators.
The booing is a relatively modern phenomenon in F1 that is also experienced regularly by seven time world champion Lewis Hamilton.
But in Abu Dhabi, where Verstappen marked the end of his second successful drivers' title campaign, many in the crowd responded by booing.
Jan Lammers flags Max Verstappen in the Red Bull RB8 for the very first lap around the refurbished Zandvoort in 2020.
"With all his dominance this year, I still feel a bit sorry for him when he is booed," Lammers, a former F1 driver, told NOS.
"What do they want from a racing driver? If you're really a motorsport fan, I wonder - 'how much better do you want it?'
"When it happens, I think I see a kind of sadness in his eyes. He's just talking but you can see him thinking 'What's this?' I think that's sad, but luckily he can rise above it and perform above it."
However, Verstappen admitted in Abu Dhabi that his current contract with Red Bull could be his last - meaning he would retire in 2028 at the age of 31.
The 25-year-old also admitted last weekend that the abuse on social media tackled by his family after the team orders saga in Brazil makes him question his future on the grid.
"It's not only related to that, to be honest," said the Dutchman. "But I won't be here when I'm 40, that's for sure."
Lammers, meanwhile, said Abu Dhabi was a perfect example of how much he has dominated his teammate Sergio Pérez in 2022.
"I thought it was a very unique statement when he said Max held him up," he said. "I thought it was a little crazy.
"He got too much out of his tyres at the start and paid the price. Max is so consistent with his times that sometimes Perez pushes too hard, while Max just neatly does his laps like clockwork.
"Fans of other drivers may blame him for sometimes attacking or defending too hard, but he's a racer through and through," added Lammers. "So I'm very aware of how special what we are seeing now is and how inspiring he is to so many people."
✅ Check out more posts with related topics:
The post-race booing, especially, was pointless.
Whatever happened to decorum and manners? All Max did, what he is getting paid to do, win races. Shameful behavior from alleged grownups. Reflects badly on the people who booed.
Exactly, Susan. I agree with you.
I think the young people of today's era need to take a step back and look at themselves. The concept of using the social media platforms to vilify and slander someone is totally unacceptable. I mean, it goes against the whole concept of people being able to excel and achieve in their chosen field.
As for the recent booing, it reflects poorly on those responsible for it, and shows no respect for either the competitors or their supporters. To boo someone because they show they are better than the rest displays resentment.
In Louise's case we can understand it, because her behaviour attracts the attention of that type of erratic and insecure person!
fans in plenty of sports boo the opposition , and fans in plenty of sports don't boo the opposition So what...!
At doesn’t just justify rude behavior just because people boo in other sports. I’m sorry, we have become a very coarse lot.
I'm not trying to justify it , just making the observation, fans cheer when they are happy, and boo or whistle when unhappy, the booing is bad discussion is one that's been on here before when it was Hannah's turn to experience it, its not a new phenomenon in m-sport.
I agree, booing & cheering has been going on on for donkeys years, it's just a way that people show their likes & dislikes although it's tough being on the booing end of things, But, it does make people think that maybe it's time to change if booing gets you down that much. Wrestlers in the old days & today like to be booed it makes them good box office attractions.
You are correct, it's not a new phenomenon in motor sport. I remember an incident over 50 years ago when some booing fans went too far and threw a full can of Coke at a touring car driver, which fractured his windscreen. That type of action is totally unacceptable. The constabulary took appropriate action against the offender.
Booing is part of the procedure for English football fans and is to be expected there. Sometimes in cricket there is booing too. However, in my experience, in the past it has been fairly uncommon for motor sport fans to boo competitors. The practice of using social media to slander competitors is unacceptable and needs to be eliminated. You can disagree with competitors actions, but their family is sacred and not to be vilified.
I'm sure that I can remember the incident with the can of coke which was and would still be a malishish act of aggression and should never be accepted at any cost,, booing & cheering is a verbal act of approval or disapproval which doesn't really harm anyone physically but could mentally harm some people, but as for stopping it,, IMPOSSIBLE!
Oops! "malicious "
And Tennis Mr Mcenroe/one Williams sis, But baseball, NFL,Indy, the list goes on, Booing children and social media/family abuse vile stuff yes , but Adults, Don't wanna cook , get out of the kitchen, If you cant Boo, you cant Cheer, or Whistle, what about singing songs, the list goes on and on.And specificaly in F1 , who gets booed, Hamilton, well enough said, and Max because he says what he thinks, 18 other drivers er Dont, Im bored now...!
IMO, booing someone who wins fair and square is in bad taste. Applause, clapping, cheering are all a way of showing appreciation in the effort shown to win.
Booing can also be appropriate for a win sometimes too. One incident I recall in particular was in cricket when Australia played New Zealand, and to prevent New Zealand scoring and possibly winning the match, the final ball was bowled underarm! Booing was appropriate then.
Shroppy, are you still in the kitchen? I have gone to the laundry! It's cooler here!
I am allways in the kitchen parties Do Australia play cricket? We need confirmation of this quick..!
✅ Checkout the latest 50 F1 Fans comments.