Max Verstappen sends message to F1 fans who have started ‘cheering’ him after booing in the past

Follow us on Google Discover

Max Verstappen produced one of the most dominant runs in F1 history between the start of 2022 and the mid-point of 2024. In that period, he won 41 out of 54 races, a staggering success rate of 75.9%.

Verstappen won four world championships in a row, a feat only five drivers have ever accomplished. Even Michael Schumacher, who holds the all-time record of five on the bounce, ‘only’ won 56.4% of the races between 2000 and 2004.

The reality in all sports, not just in F1, is that dominant teams and athletes often run into hostility. Verstappen is a particularly divisive figure because he often races on the fringes of the rules.

There were several occasions during his pomp when he was booed by the crowd. But last year, his image started to change.

Max Verstappen insists he hasn’t changed as F1 boos become cheers

Since the second half of the 2024 season, McLaren have been the fastest team in F1. Their advantage was particularly pronounced before the summer break in 2025.

Verstappen suddenly became an underdog, dropping 104 points off the lead at one stage. But Red Bull continued to aggressively upgrade their car as rivals pivoted to 2026, and that allowed him to stage a remarkable fightback.

He never led the standings but finished just two points behind eventual champion Lando Norris. Even Ferrari fans chanted Verstappen’s name at Imola and Monza; he had been loudly jeered by the Tifosi in the past.

Is this the greatest run ever by an F1 driver?

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

Speaking on the Fast and the Curious podcast, Verstappen explained why crowds had started ‘cheering’ for him.

When it was put to him that he was no longer ‘the panto villain’, he said: “Honestly, I’ve not changed as a person. It’s just that you are in a different role, naturally, because you are not winning as many races as we did before. At the end of the day, it’s more important that I didn’t change.

“Yes [I felt that change]. When you’re a bit of an underdog, that happens a bit naturally. Of course, it’s nice to have people cheering instead of booing.”

Why was Lando Norris booed in 2025?

Norris may have won the title last year, but he didn’t dominate. Verstappen once again won the most races (eight vs seven).

Still, Norris was booed after winning the Mexico City GP and the Sao Paulo GP. This may have reflected the controversy surrounding McLaren.

Some fans felt Norris unfairly benefited from contentious team orders in his fight for Piastri, above all at the Italian GP.

It wasn’t long ago that Norris was voted F1’s most popular driver, so this is yet another example of the added scrutiny that comes with success.