Max Verstappen is set to face a hostile reception from the Silverstone crowd at this weekend’s British Grand Prix, as confirmed by British Grand Prix chief executive Stuart Pringle. The anticipation for the event is at an all-time high, with a sell-out crowd expected, largely there to support home favorites Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, and Lando Norris.

Verstappen has been no stranger to boos and jeers from British fans, a trend that began after his intense and controversial 2021 title battle with Lewis Hamilton. Despite his dominance in the sport since then, the Dutch driver has had limited involvement in significant on-track battles, until his recent clash with Lando Norris at the Austrian Grand Prix.

Speaking on the upcoming race, Pringle was blunt about the reception Verstappen might receive: “There’s no doubt it’s going to be a sell-out crowd at Silverstone this weekend. People are coming to support their heroes – Lewis, George, and Lando. Max Verstappen should be prepared for what might be a very challenging atmosphere.”

The tension between Verstappen and British fans was further fueled by his collision with Lando Norris last Sunday, an incident that resulted in a 10-second penalty for the Red Bull driver. Last year, Norris appealed to fans not to boo Verstappen, but it remains to be seen how the crowd will respond this time.

Pringle’s comments suggest a potentially volatile atmosphere, with the Silverstone crowd ready to passionately back their local drivers. “The fans here are incredibly loyal and supportive of their homegrown talents,” Pringle added. “While we always promote good sportsmanship, the reality is that emotions run high in this sport, and Max should be ready for that.”

As the British Grand Prix approaches, all eyes will be on Silverstone to see how Verstappen handles the pressure from both the track and the stands.