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NextImg:Mercedes chief Toto Wolff delivers verdict on Max Verstappen and Christian Horner boos at F1 75 launch

Toto Wolff has spoken out after Red Bull's Christian Horner and Max Verstappen were booed at last week's F1 75 launch event in London.

The Mercedes chief urged fans not to let the incident overshadow what was otherwise a highly successful celebration marking Formula 1's 75th anniversary.

The spectacle at the O2 Arena was watched by almost 7.5 million viewers across platforms.

The booing occurred when Horner and world champion Verstappen appeared before the predominantly English crowd.

F1 news Toto Wolff

F1 news: Toto Wolff has spoken out after Red Bull's Christian Horner and Max Verstappen were booed at last week's F1 75 launch event in London

GETTY

Wolff, who has had a turbulent relationship with Horner, distanced himself from the crowd's reaction.

"I wasn't booing," he told Sky Sports. "There were 15,000 people doing that - it wasn't necessary that I did that!"

The Mercedes boss emphasised the event's overall success.

"We shouldn't talk an event down that was mega just because one single individual, rightly or wrongly, was booed when he spoke," Wolff added.

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"It was a great event, the spectators were great, the presentation of the cars was good and it sets a new format for years to come."

Reports suggest Verstappen is furious about the reception and plans to boycott future London events.

His father Jos called the crowd's actions "unacceptable".

"Max doesn't feel like being booed in front of 25,000 people," Jos said.

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F1 news Max Verstappen Christian Horner

F1 news: Max Verstappen and Christian Horner were booed at last week's F1 75 event in London

GETTY

He added: "He also says: 'If this is in England again next year, they certainly won't see me there' and I completely agree with him."

The FIA, motorsport's governing body, condemned the crowd's behaviour in a statement released on Saturday.

"It was disappointing to hear the crowd's tribalist reaction to FIA Formula One World Champion Max Verstappen and his Red Bull Team Principal and CEO Christian Horner," they said.

"Max and Christian have both contributed greatly to the sport we love. In the season ahead we should not lose sight of that."

The Times reported that the FIA's statement has created further divisions within the sport.

Fans' decision to boo the Dutchman may stem from Verstappen's on-track rivalries during the 2024 season.

The Dutch driver clashed with British drivers Lando Norris and George Russell last year as he secured glory for the fourth year on the trot.

Horner faced controversy at the start of the 2024 season when he was investigated over allegations of controlling behaviour towards a female employee.

He was cleared twice and consistently denied the allegations.

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REUTERS

Some paddock members were reportedly frustrated by the FIA's lack of intervention during Horner's investigation.

The future of the F1 launch event remains uncertain, with organisers yet to confirm whether it will take place again next year.