Autosport Plus

Why booing isn't bad for F1

By:

The fans who booed Nico Rosberg on the Belgian Grand Prix podium came in for criticism. But EDD STRAW argues that F1 has to accept it if it's serious about improving the so-called show

Fan engagement, or the lack of it, has become a preoccupation in Formula 1 this season.

So it seems perverse that, when a group of fans made their feelings towards Nico Rosberg known by booing during the Belgian Grand Prix podium ceremony, there was widespread hand-wringing about how terrible this was.

Personally, I'm not a big fan of booing at sporting events and never have been. But there's an important distinction to be drawn between an individual thinking they would not have done something and arguing that others should not be allowed to do it.

shares
comments

McLaren F1 team eyes Red Bull challenge from Singapore GP

McLaren F1 team in final push to hire Vettel or Alonso

More from Edd Straw

Archive: When the French GP almost produced F1's greatest shock

Archive: When the French GP almost produced F1's greatest shock

F1 Formula 1

Archive: When the French GP almost produced F1's greatest shock Archive: When the French GP almost produced F1's greatest shock

Autosport 70: How Scheckter instigated Silverstone's most famous F1 incident

Autosport 70: How Scheckter instigated Silverstone's most famous F1 incident

F1 Formula 1

Autosport 70: How Scheckter instigated Silverstone's most famous F1 incident Autosport 70: How Scheckter instigated Silverstone's most famous F1 incident

Autosport 70: The lost F1 team that launched Newey

Autosport 70: The lost F1 team that launched Newey

F1 Formula 1

Autosport 70: The lost F1 team that launched Newey Autosport 70: The lost F1 team that launched Newey

Why Haas's shocking 2019 should have F1 worried

Why Haas's shocking 2019 should have F1 worried

Plus
Plus
F1 Formula 1

Why Haas's shocking 2019 should have F1 worried Why Haas's shocking 2019 should have F1 worried

How Kubica found the answer to his own incredible F1 challenge

How Kubica found the answer to his own incredible F1 challenge

Plus
Plus
F1 Formula 1

How Kubica found the answer to his own incredible F1 challenge How Kubica found the answer to his own incredible F1 challenge

The real step that ended McLaren's F1 nightmare

The real step that ended McLaren's F1 nightmare

Plus
Plus
F1 Formula 1

The real step that ended McLaren's F1 nightmare The real step that ended McLaren's F1 nightmare

2019's Albon, Norris and Russell are 2001's Montoya, Raikkonen and Alonso

2019's Albon, Norris and Russell are 2001's Montoya, Raikkonen and Alonso

Plus
Plus
F1 Formula 1

2019's Albon, Norris and Russell are 2001's Montoya, Raikkonen and Alonso 2019's Albon, Norris and Russell are 2001's Montoya, Raikkonen and Alonso

How Toro Rosso gave Renault a major scare

How Toro Rosso gave Renault a major scare

Plus
Plus
F1 Formula 1

How Toro Rosso gave Renault a major scare How Toro Rosso gave Renault a major scare

The war reality that shines a light on the job Red Bull is doing

The war reality that shines a light on the job Red Bull is doing

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Monaco GP
Jonathan Noble

The war reality that shines a light on the job Red Bull is doing The war reality that shines a light on the job Red Bull is doing

How Mercedes' new F1 upgrades fared - and what's next for the revitalised W14

How Mercedes' new F1 upgrades fared - and what's next for the revitalised W14

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Monaco GP
Jake Boxall-Legge

How Mercedes' new F1 upgrades fared - and what's next for the revitalised W14 How Mercedes' new F1 upgrades fared - and what's next for the revitalised W14

Why the highlight of F1 2023 so far should end Monaco's calendar slot debate

Why the highlight of F1 2023 so far should end Monaco's calendar slot debate

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Monaco GP
Alex Kalinuackas

Why the highlight of F1 2023 so far should end Monaco's calendar slot debate Why the highlight of F1 2023 so far should end Monaco's calendar slot debate

Monaco Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

Monaco Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Monaco GP
Jake Boxall-Legge

Monaco Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Monaco Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

Why Alonso and Aston made the call that guaranteed Verstappen's Monaco victory

Why Alonso and Aston made the call that guaranteed Verstappen's Monaco victory

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Monaco GP
Jake Boxall-Legge

Why Alonso and Aston made the call that guaranteed Verstappen's Monaco victory Why Alonso and Aston made the call that guaranteed Verstappen's Monaco victory

The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP

The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Monaco GP
Alex Kalinauckas

The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP

What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset

What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Jonathan Noble

What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset

Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari?

Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari?

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Monaco GP
Matt Kew

Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari? Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari?

Subscribe