Max Verstappen sends stern warning to F1 fans after Lewis Hamilton targeted

Max Verstappen has warned F1 fans to behave themselves after Lewis Hamilton was targeted by Dutch supporters. Verstappen urged those trackside to “just watch the race” and “not get too drunk” a year on from the incidents.

Fan behaviour was at the centre of discussions at last year’s Austrian Grand Prix with Hamilton the focus of attention by many Dutch fans. Verstappen supporters cheered when the Mercedes star suffered a high-speed crash in qualifying.

A Hamilton fan was also reportedly harassed by drunk spectators ahead of last year’s race. When asked if he had a message to his fans ahead of the weekend, Verstappen replied: “Don’t get too drunk. Just watch the race, enjoy Yeah it will be good to see them.

“It will be good to see them, it’s always nice to see the orange next to the track. I think also on any grandstand you sit you can see a lot of the track and that makes it very unique.”

Around 50,000 Dutch fans made the trip for last year’s event race to cheer on Verstappen. Last year, Hamilton said it was “mind-blowing” that anyone would cheer an accident without knowing the condition of the driver.

He also came to the defence of race fans who had experienced issues at the Red Bull Ring. Hamilton wrote on Instagram: “Disgusted and disappointed to hear that some fans are facing racist, homophobic and generally abusive behaviour at the circuit this weekend.”

But, Verstappen came to the defence of his former title rival as he called out a section of his own supporters. He even suggested organisers should regulate the amount of alcohol sold at races but stressed drinking shouldn’t be an excuse for bad behaviour.

Last July, the Dutchman said: “Of course it’s not good. These things shouldn’t happen. I read a few shocking things, so that’s clearly not OK. I shouldn’t even need to say this, I think this should be a general understanding that these things shouldn’t happen.

“A normal human being should think like that and should behave like that.” F1 bosses stressed the kind of behaviour seen at last year’s Austrian GP was “unacceptable and will not be tolerated”.

A statement also confirmed the incidents noted over the weekend would be raised with the promoter and security teams at the event.