Racing Bulls Apologizes After Team Member Encourages Booing of Norris

Racing Bulls has apologized and taken internal action after one of its team members was filmed encouraging the São Paulo crowd to boo race winner Lando Norris during last weekend’s Formula 1 podium ceremony. The incident, captured on video and widely shared, showed a uniformed team member appearing to gesture with his thumb, seemingly encouraging boos, before being pulled back by a colleague.

Why it matters:

This incident highlights a critical issue of sportsmanship and fan behavior within Formula 1. While booing drivers is unfortunately not uncommon, a team member actively inciting such behavior crosses a line, undermining the sport's values of respect and fair play. Racing Bulls' swift action is crucial to maintaining team integrity and setting a professional example for the wider F1 community and its global fanbase.

The Details:

• A fan video widely circulated on social media showed a uniformed Racing Bulls team member filming the podium celebrations.
• As boos for Lando Norris erupted, the individual appeared to make a 'thumbs down' gesture, seemingly encouraging the negative crowd reaction.
• Another team member quickly intervened, pulling the individual away from the edge of the grandstands.
• Racing Bulls, based in Faenza, released a statement confirming they had dealt with the matter internally.
• The statement emphasized that the behavior did not reflect the team's values or the spirit of VCARB, stating they believe in "celebrating great racing and showing respect to every driver, team, and fan both on and off the track."
• The specific disciplinary action taken against the individual was not disclosed by the team.

Between the lines:

Lando Norris, who has previously faced similar crowd reactions, including at the Mexico GP, appeared unbothered by the incident. He commented that while he'd prefer cheers, people have the right to react as they wish, and he simply focuses on his performance. This calm demeanor from Norris helps de-escalate what could otherwise become a more protracted controversy, shifting focus back to on-track competition rather than off-track distractions. However, the incident still sparks a broader discussion about maintaining respectful environments at F1 events.

What's next:

While Racing Bulls has handled the matter internally, the incident serves as a reminder for all F1 teams to continuously reinforce their professional standards among staff, especially in highly visible public settings. The focus will now return to the racing, with Norris and McLaren continuing their strong season, and Racing Bulls aiming to move past this brief controversy, reinforcing their commitment to sportsmanship ahead of upcoming races.