Toto Wolff: Max wasn't booed, but 15,000 people did boo Horner

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has said he does not believe Max Verstappen was the target of booing during the F1 75 season launch event in London. Although some boos were heard, Wolff was clear in his position that this was not the case with Verstappen, while, on the other hand, he admitted that the boss of Red Bull, Christian Horner, was the target of the crowd's backlash.

Whistles and reactions at the event

In this first event of its kind, all the F1 teams gathered at London's O2 Arena, where they presented the cars for the upcoming season. However, the whole event was somewhat controversial as whistles could be heard among the 15,000 spectators, primarily aimed at Max Verstappen, the four-time world champion, and Horner. 

These boos provoked a reaction from Verstappen's father, Jos, who stated that his son would not participate in similar events in the future if they were held in Great Britain. This statement was also recognized within Red Bull.

However, Mercedes boss did not share the same opinion. After Sky F1 journalist Craig Slater pointed out that Verstappen "wasn't really booed", Wolff emphasized: "As you say, I don't think Max was booed." However, both agreed that Horner was the target of the whistle. 

Wolff stressed that this does not diminish the importance of the event, claiming that the audience was amazing.

"This is no reason to diminish the significance of this great event," Wolff said. "The audience was fantastic, and the presentation of the cars was excellent. A new format has been set for the coming years, and that is what should be seen as a positive outcome."

Although Wolff has been known for verbal conflicts with Horner in the past, particularly at the end of 2024 when tensions arose between Verstappen and Mercedes' George Russell, Wolff did not miss the opportunity to joke when asked by Slater if he was among those who booed Horner: "No, I didn't boo.15,000 people did that!"