Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton have addressed the reaction of the crowd booing Max Verstappen after his victory at the Spanish Grand Prix, with Hamilton defending the reigning F1 World Champion by saying “you can’t fault” him. Verstappen, a three-time World Champion, secured his seventh win of the F1 2024 season in Barcelona, overcoming polesitter Norris and expanding his lead in the Drivers’ standings to 69 points.
The Red Bull driver’s remarkable success continues, having won 51 of the last 76 races since his first championship season in 2021, cementing his status as the dominant force in modern Formula 1. However, Verstappen’s consistent triumphs have made him a divisive figure among fans, resulting in boos from the crowd following his latest win.
In the post-race press conference in Spain, Norris commented on the situation, suggesting there is a “fine line” between respect and disrespect. He acknowledged that Verstappen’s recent dominance might be making F1 “less exciting,” which could be why some fans are unhappy. Despite the mixed reactions from spectators, both Norris and Hamilton seemed to emphasize the importance of recognizing Verstappen’s achievements in the sport.
