Verstappen: Miami GP fan abuse 'absolutely fine'

Max Verstappen has defiantly insisted he is "fine" with being booed by F1 fans whilst he is winning races.

The Dutchman has been targeted by jeers from crowds at certain races since the controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2021, with then-rival Lewis Hamilton also in the firing line at other events following the duo's heated battle for that year's title.

A study completed by The Female Drive and Areto Labs at the end of last year revealed Verstappen and his Red Bull team were the most targeted on the grid when it came to abuse on social media, tracking the period between the Sao Paulo Grand Prix and the Abu Dhabi season finale.

But the attacks were heard for the first time this campaign at the Miami Grand Prix, where Verstappen rose from ninth on the grid to lead Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez across the line for a one-two. The boos rang out as the two-time World Champion collected his trophy on the podium.

Verstappen was also booed during the driver introductions that took place on the grid pre-race, where each competitor was introduced one by one. The championship leader was last to be called out by Actor and Musician LL Cool J and when stopping for a short discussion, the crowd took a dislike to him.

Asked for his response to the booing, Verstappen told media, including RacingNews365.com: "I think if I was driving at the back nobody will even be doing anything in terms of reaction, right?"

"It's normal when you're winning and they don't like who is winning, so this is something for me which is absolutely fine as long as I stand on the top - that's the most important for me. I take the trophy home and they go back to their houses and they can have a nice evening."