FIA Urges Respect Amid F1 'Tribalist' Fan Behavior

The FIA has called for more respect among fans after tribalist booing of Max Verstappen and Christian Horner at an F1 event. The crowd favored Lewis Hamilton, highlighting ongoing rivalries. The FIA stresses respect's importance and is tackling online abuse in the sport.

The governing body of Formula One has called for fans to exhibit more respect following 'tribalist' booing directed at Max Verstappen and Christian Horner during a 10-team season launch.

FIA officials were also booed, while fans reserved their loudest support for Britain's seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton at London's O2 Arena last Tuesday. Horner, at the helm of Red Bull's six constructors' titles and eight drivers' crowns since 2010, has been a polarizing figure, bolstered by his appearance in the Netflix series Drive to Survive.

The FIA highlighted the negative impact of such behavior and emphasized the need for a culture of respect in the sport, urging athletes and fans to consider their actions online and offline.