Horner: ‘Unusual’ to hear Silverstone crowd booing Max

Christian Horner was left puzzled by Max Verstappen being booed by fans at Silverstone on Thursday night, while walking on the track.

The drivers were out on Thursday among a swathe of supporters already in attendance at Silverstone before the weekend’s action got underway, and the Red Bull driver was greeted by some with boos and jeers as he made his way around.

Verstappen received a frosty reception in certain quarters on track on Thursday – and his team principal was questioned about whether or not the booing was something of a hangover to the conclusion of last season’s World Championship in Abu Dhabi.

And the reigning champion found himself in what could have been in something of an awkward position heading into the weekend, after Nelson Piquet was widely condemned for using racist language while speaking about Lewis Hamilton on a podcast last year.

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Verstappen has a close connection to the Brazilian, as his partner Kelly is the three-time World Champion’s daughter.

Verstappen was among the drivers to come out in firm support of Hamilton, and later stated his belief that Piquet is not a racist, but his words were “not correct”.

Horner made sure to reaffirm the Dutchman’s stance on Piquet, while acknowledging that his driver was unlikely to be universally popular at the home race of his biggest title rival from last year.

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