Lando Norris has urged his supporters not to boo his team mate and championship rival Oscar Piastri at this weekend’s British Grand Prix.
The two McLaren drivers increasingly have the world championship fight to themselves. Norris’s victory in Austria last weekend moved him within 15 points of Piastri at the top of the championship, while their closest rival Max Verstappen is now 61 points off the lead.Some drivers have had a hostile reception from groups of spectators at different races in recent years. However Norris made it clear he does not want his supporters to boo his team mate.
“I certainly hope [that’s] not going to happen,” he said. “The British fans are normally very accepting for all of us and especially for us as McLaren. So I think the first point should be for all the fans to embrace everyone and to support everyone.”
Piastri, who raced in the British Formula 4 series before moving up to Formula 3, said he’s usually had a positive reception at Silverstone. “A couple of years ago they were chanting my name in the crowd, so that was unexpected,” said the championship leader after Sunday’s race at the Red Bull Ring.
“I’m not sure I’ll quite get that again, which is fair enough. I feel like the fans in general this year have been a bit nicer to us. We didn’t even have Max Verstappen fans booing us today, so that was a nice change.
“They’ve always been very accepting of me. Obviously, I race for a British team, and I think they’re big fans of everything papaya and that includes both of us. I’m expecting there to be a lot more Lando fans than me fans, but that’s fair. It’s his home race as well, so I think it’ll be fine.”
McLaren are seeking their first British Grand Prix victory for 17 years. Norris said it’s “a place I want to win more than anywhere else” but he sees the added pressure it brings as a “positive distraction.”
“There’s pressure in every race. There’s pressure to win today, to be on pole yesterday. I don’t think I can put myself under any more pressure. That doesn’t change anything.
“It’s more just something to look forward to, to enjoy every day, enjoy every lap, enjoy the experience. Because it’s still for me an experience to have my own grandstand, to have so many of my fans there supporting me, cheering me on. I’m very excited for it.”
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2025 Canadian Grand Prix
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Ben Rowe (@thegianthogweed)
1st July 2025, 8:39
That is something that I usually notice in Britain. The crowd are usually among the least respectful if someone who they don’t support wins. I certainly can remember more booing here than anywhere else – unless it is just a very British thing.
Tony Mansell (@tonymansell)
1st July 2025, 9:22
Yes the British invented booing. I appreciate as we did invent most things you’d get confused
Its a relatively recent thing at f1 everywhere. and is most unwelcome everywhere but on the scale of 1 -10 its not the worse anti driver thing i’ve seen, not a by a long shot
Jojo
1st July 2025, 11:50
The British have booed rivals of British drivers but also the tifosi have booed direct championship rivals of Ferrari eg. Vettel in 2012, 13, Hamilton in 2017, 18 and Verstappen in 2022. Actually Vettel used to get booed all the time when he was winning in 2013 – that was the first I’d really noticed booing. In Mexico they’ve booed Hamilton, Verstappen and even Leclerc.
cdavman (@cdavman)
1st July 2025, 13:14
I attended Barcelona for pre-season testing in 2009, so just after Hamilton won his first championship.
I was in the grandstand at the final chicane (when it was still used), and every lap Hamilton came round, without fail, the majority of the people in the grandstand (as the bulk of them were Spanish), stood up and booed, did hand gestures, and threw things. Every lap that he drove past. Without fail.
As one of the few Brits in the grandstand that day it quickly became apparent that we didn’t make it obvious we were British. Not fun.
Tony Mansell (@tonymansell)
1st July 2025, 14:29
There was worse shown on TV. Just one small group of people but the worse thing I’ve seen seen at an F1 race
Mr A
1st July 2025, 15:42
I know EXACTLY what you are referring to.
Nothing was done about it.
Genghis Blond
1st July 2025, 16:53
The German fans cheered like crazy when Kimi’s wing flew off and he smashed into the wall at turn 1 during the 2004 German GP (or maybe it was European GP – there were two races in Germany and one was the European GP).
I don’t think the British fans would boo Piastri. This sounds like an unneeded warning.
Kringle
1st July 2025, 9:45
It came with the DTS swarm.
No one will boo him, he’s a likeable chap and goes about his racing appropriately. For now!
Mal Ross (@malross)
1st July 2025, 10:39
Really, really hope you’re right that no-one will boo him. All it takes is a vocal minority to be heard. Embarrasses the hell out of me when it’s my compatriots doing it, no matter whom they’re targeting.
Genghis Blond
2nd July 2025, 10:59
Exactly. More people aren’t booing. It’s just that, due to mobile devices and social media, that minority is heard now. Once upon a time, the only way anyone would know if F1 fans were booing was when the race was over so they weren’t drowned out by the cars and the boo’ing takes place by the director’s chosen audio feed.
But now, 10 people booing and one person getting it on camera now becomes “XYZ Fans Boo XYZ Driver.” The other thing I find a little odd about Lando’s comment is that it sounds like he thinks he’s achieved Lewis or Mansell level popularity with British fans. He’s getting ahead of himself, especially since Silverstone doesn’t have particularly boo prone fans.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
1st July 2025, 11:28
I don’t agree. Here’s an example from 2016 and another from 2013.
Or have a look at the official 1984 season review which includes Clive James’ brilliant line about Prost retiring at Monza in a McLaren: “He looked for a nice, quiet place to park where the sporting spectators wouldn’t throw stones at him, but he couldn’t find one, and they did.” (I’m not aware they actually did throw rocks at him but there are plenty of accounts of the hostile reception Ferrari’s rivals got around then.)
An Sionnach
1st July 2025, 14:10
Prost attracted unwanted attention from many sources, including the French. He left the country after his Mercedes was set aflame by an angry mob.
piedi sporchi
2nd July 2025, 4:13
the tifosi are something else (good and bad). they even cheered when patrese (italian!) crashed out of the lead in san marino 1983 because that allowed tambay (frenchman in ferrari) win!
Femke
2nd July 2025, 8:10
He is ice cold and narcistic. Doesnt care about the team only his own position. It’s not the most likable of the bunch for sure. But i guess its great for australians to have him, he does take in a whole lot of championship points to get excited about
There’s no reason too boo any of them. As a fan of f1 you dont have too cheer for all of them but appreciate the racing :)
pcxmac (@pcxmac)
2nd July 2025, 16:49
There is only one guy getting boo’d in Britain and it aint Piastri.
Maybe if the FIA gave back the 2021 championship they stole, it might help, but there are plenty of reasons not to stop booing for whats his nuts.
Not a big fan of Piastri, but hes probably more like Max, and Lando is probably more like Hamilton, so it’s more of a preference thing. Piastri is pretty clean, not much to complain about, it’s just his helmet looks more like a bell than anything else.
Craig
1st July 2025, 9:57
I don’t think anyone was intending to boo Piastri. People seem to forget that people get booed because people don’t like them, not because of their nationality or some other ridiculous thing (though I’m sure those who obsess over the nebulous “British” have convinced themselves otherwise).
MichaelN
1st July 2025, 10:20
Not infrequently the two go together. But anyway, Piastri will be fine. As a fellow subject to the English king, he will likely get a nod of approval from those predisposed to booing.
Luckily most fans, including the English, don’t boo anyone anyway. Even if they’re not as universal in their enthusiasm as the Japanese, there’s still a great racing culture in England and the vast majority of people going to the race will be there as fans of racing, not of one driver or one nationality.
Tony Mansell (@tonymansell)
1st July 2025, 10:29
+1
Phil Norman (@phil-f1-21)
1st July 2025, 13:04
I don’t think Piastri will be booed, or certainly not by many, because of this very factor i.e. he is Australian and still part of the U.K’s family i.e. the Commonwealth. Rightly or wrongly you can argue.
Aussies tend to be quite popular in the U.K. unless they do something awful or disrespectful. So I would think he would be an accepted if not popular winner, were he to beat Lando.
Mr A
1st July 2025, 15:44
Bullfrog (@bullfrog)
1st July 2025, 10:52
That’s the most British thing ever – apologising for something that hasn’t happened yet!
HUHHII (@huhhii)
1st July 2025, 11:07
I don’t get this conversation at all. It’s sports, it’s supposed to bring up strong emotions for viewer. It’s completely normal. I’ve never attended a Grand Prix and now that the sport is ruined I never will, but if I was there and a driver who I strongly dislike wins I’d surely boo him.
If you want to stand quietly without showing any emotions go watch golf or something.
rprp
1st July 2025, 11:28
Personal view is that booing is only justified if somebody has done something egregious. It’s an expression of disapproval.
Booing somebody because they’re doing their job well, e.g. booing Verstappen, Hamilton or Piastri because they happen to win or qualify on pole, or are a particular nationality, is disrespectful and stupid.
– I get what you mean, but it’s not ruined. It’s more expensive and there’s a lot more to it now that I’m not interested in, but the core sport is still mostly intact.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
1st July 2025, 12:22
It’s not about money: no more true wet races, artificial gimmicks to overtake like DRS, sprint races (and I’m certainly not the most anti-sprint person here), classic tracks losing their place to soul-less new rich tracks.
Marcus (@marcusw)
1st July 2025, 12:49
Probably just as well you’re not planning to go to any races then. Someone that openly admits they’d boo someone they dislike is exactly the sort of person that Lando is talking about. Yes, you should absolutely get passionate and cheer on those you do like, but there’s really no need for booing someone unless they’ve actually done something unsporting or dangerous. Accept the fact that your chosen person/team was defeated by a better performance from someone else, and move on.
Tony Mansell (@tonymansell)
1st July 2025, 13:07
Never been to a race, ‘sport is ruined’ but is telling people what to do and what to watch. This is the new sports fan i guess
rprp
1st July 2025, 11:21
That is quite a telling quote.
Adrian Hancox (@ahxshades)
1st July 2025, 11:56
Not really – they probably left early
lucifer (@lucifer)
1st July 2025, 12:10
exactly
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
1st July 2025, 12:23
Ahah, fun comments from both of you, as it implies that verstappen’s fans often boo the mclaren drivers and it gives a valid explanation as to why they didn’t in austria!
NM
1st July 2025, 12:27
well Zandvoort has much much friendlier atmosphere then Silverstone has. so nut sure how telling it is.
rprp
1st July 2025, 12:48
The friendly atmosphere of Mercedes caps being burned, and multiple reports of homophobia and sexual harassment?
And anyway, what’s the atmosphere of Zandvoort vs Silverstone got to do with the fact that the article has Piastri, a man who has had no real beef with Verstappen, singling out his fans, as per the article.
Tony Mansell (@tonymansell)
1st July 2025, 13:13
Ive never been to any circuit, and i’ve done most of Europe several times and Silverstone about 10x, and i’ve never found anyone to be anything other than very convivial.
Two moments stand out of bad behaviour, 1 by me smoking in an open stand in Hungary (there were no signs at all but you werent allowed) and some of the Silverstone crowd post lockdown in 2021, who in the marquee on the campsite behaved were very poorly, alcohol induced, behaviour, most were not f1 fans, just crazed Brits sick of being at home. No excuse but not a normal crowd or time
You maybe read a news story and project it on the entire crowd, the reality is very different
tielemst
1st July 2025, 13:45
Boris Johnson party?
Tony Mansell (@tonymansell)
1st July 2025, 13:12
Ive never been to any circuit, and i’ve done most of Europe several times and Silverstone about 10x, and i’ve never found anyone to be anything other than very convivial.
Two moments stand out of bad behaviour, 1 by me smoking in an open stand in Hungary (there were no signs at all but you werent allowed) and some of the Silverstone crowd post lockdown in 2021, who in the marquee on the campsite behaved looked drunken idiots and most were not f1 fans, just crazed Brits sick of being at home. No excuse but not a normal crowd or time
You maybe read a news story and project it on the entire crowd, the reality is very different
Femke
2nd July 2025, 8:12
Those are the hooligans that destroyed the atmosphere at races. Fighting on the grandstands and the boo-ing. Asses
Esmiz (@esmiz)
1st July 2025, 11:37
It’s a “me” thing, but I’ve never really understood so much “passion” for one person in an individual sport. When I started watching F1 there wasn’t even a driver from my country, I guess that also has something to do with it, and of course I have my favorites and my disliked drivers, but to get to the point of “booing” seems ridiculous to me. In a football match cheering or “booing” might make some sense, in an F1 race, as much as the drivers like to tell the fans that they can see them, there inside the car they don’t hear nothing and I doubt they can see the pople in the stands.
And just as I don’t understand the fans who “boo” I don’t think the drivers should make a big deal out of it either. It’s one of the things they get paid so well for.
In any case, well done by Norris knowing that there may be a problem with it. Other drivers in the past have not done the same.
PlosslF1 (@f1-ploss)
1st July 2025, 12:15
Being an Aussie he’s effectively one of Us, there will be no booing, there might be a bit of “look out Lando he’s behind you” though ;-)
SteveP
1st July 2025, 18:48
Or “go on Lando, you can catch him [cross fingers]”
PlosslF1 (@f1-ploss)
1st July 2025, 22:46
Boo :-)
David BR (@david-br)
1st July 2025, 12:20
Was this a response to a media question about the possibility of Piastri getting booed? Seems weirdly preemptive either way.
Mooa42
3rd July 2025, 4:30
That’s certainly how it reads, a stupid media question being asked, Lando would never have brought it up of his own volition.
Edvaldo
1st July 2025, 14:22
I bet Piastri doesn’t care in the slightest, as long as he wins. If they care enough to boo you, it’s because you are getting under their skin.
XV
1st July 2025, 21:28
There is definitely a sporting rivalry between Australians and the English across various sports. That could well creep into this years title race. It seems the two nations like to tease each other, rather than having any real resentment.
I’d imagine Piastri would only get booed if he beats Norris. If that happened, then riling up a few Brits along the way might be considered a bonus for Piastri.
PlosslF1 (@f1-ploss)
1st July 2025, 22:52
Like you say about the rivalry between Aus and Eng (Ashes 25/26 coming up, Its coming home, Its coming home :) if it does happen I imagine he will have the biggest grin you’ve ever seen…
James Bond (@jamesbond)
1st July 2025, 14:48
I remember the Silverstone crowd cheering when HAM crashed VER in to hospital in 2021.
Tony Mansell (@tonymansell)
1st July 2025, 17:28
I remember Max fans still crying 5 years later
Doggy
2nd July 2025, 13:10
Mate looks like you’re Still salty about Max beating Lewis in 2021.
I won’t be surprised if you are a regular Dailymail reader
David BR (@david-br)
1st July 2025, 18:13
I’m sure plenty cheered when he flew off the track. It’s an instant reaction from most fans of a rival driver (Dutch fans of Verstappen would have cheered the same had Hamilton flown off track). Not the same as seeing him crash heavily, less still about hearing he was taken to hospital for checks.
SteveP
1st July 2025, 19:14
True. I’d guess the average non-MV fan went through the sequence.
Sliding toward the edge of the track and gravel: “Yes”
Speeding across the gravel toward the barrier: “Ooh, that’s gonna hurt”
Arrival: “Ouch”
Getting out: “OK, he’s fine”
Red Flag: “Aw, entertainment pause…”
The F1 medical centre sent him off for precautionary checks. All fine.
DaveW (@dmw)
1st July 2025, 15:17
Getting older and having kids who play competitive sports makes your realize how really gross and silly it is to be a fan who thinks repping the jersey no matter what is a moral imperative and that following some competitor even if it’s your own family relieves you from the need to act like a human being.
We don’t know any of these people and they don’t care if someone throws a beer cup at a stranger in their name. That said the instinct to belong to a group and defend it at all costs is probably biological and hard to resist. We all have to struggle with it.
pmp
3rd July 2025, 7:49
Tribalism isn’t the problem as tribes can have a respectful relationship with other tribes. The problem is wide-spread immaturity fueled with alcohol.
David B
1st July 2025, 17:18
I certainly wouldn’t put it past them but why would they. He’s done nothing wrong & he’s his teammate. I’d understand if it were Verstappen but it’s a bit of an odd thing to say for a driver that is universally liked.
SteveP
1st July 2025, 18:52
Slight confusion?
Oscar and Lando tear round a corner line astern, and hear booing.
Lando assumes it’s booing the other guy… ;)
Neil (@neilosjames)
1st July 2025, 19:31
In the nicest possible way, I don’t really think Norris is popular enough for the crowd to boo his team-mate. In the time I’ve been alive there’s only really been Mansell, Hill and Hamilton who’ve really been overwhelming ‘home crowd’ favourites at Silverstone. Obviously the likes of Coulthard and Button were well-supported, but it never came across the same for them.
That, and lots of British fans don’t just support the British drivers. I know about 10 F1 fans and most of them support Ferrari, Leclerc or Verstappen.
PlosslF1 (@f1-ploss)
1st July 2025, 23:00
It reminds me of when Jimi Hendrix got booed at a concert, why I cant imagine, but he replied “I don’t care if you boo, as long as you boo in key”
I was doing a gig once an someone walked up an said “You should be on Stage” I gave that lift of the head an nod of cheers and then he said “Sweeping it”
PlosslF1 (@f1-ploss)
1st July 2025, 23:36
I posted the above and forgot to post the point… Doh
If your in any sort of public spotlight be prepared to be a target, if you think you cant handle that then don’t get in the spotlight, heck they even booed Shakespeare back in the day, its nothing new, just par of the course…
The above remark directed at me still makes me laugh till this day…
DMC
1st July 2025, 23:19
Omv get a grip! It’s all just a pantomime anyway!
PlosslF1 (@f1-ploss)
1st July 2025, 23:45
Oh no it Isn’t :)
SteveP
2nd July 2025, 21:26
That’s the way to do it. :)
To understand pantomime is to understand the British, but to understand pantomime you probably have to be British.