Max Verstappen could opt out of next year's Formula 1 collective season kickoff should it take place in the UK once more.
At the recent season launch event at the O2 Arena, both Verstappen and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner faced jeers from a notable chunk of the 15,000-strong crowd.
The FIA, also greeted with boos when referenced during the show, has since issued a statement urging an end to the "tribalist" attitudes seeping into the sport amid its rising fame.
"What underpins sport at all levels is a culture of respect," a spokesperson said. "As such, it was disappointing to hear the crowd's tribalist reaction" to quadruple world champion Verstappen and Horner.
"We stand with all of our competitors, officials, volunteers, and fans to unite against this growing threat. Max and Christian have both contributed greatly to the sport we love," the FIA official added.
Verstappen's well-known father, Jos, described the booing as "shameful," despite calling the event itself a "reasonable presentation."
"Look, you're there for Formula 1, you're there to promote the sport, and then you get booed by the crowd. I don't think that's acceptable," he told RaceXpress.
"I understand it, because Max is the only one who fires up those English people and tells them exactly how things are, but I don't think it's acceptable."
"Max told me 'If this is in England next year, they will definitely not see me'," Verstappen senior said. "And I completely agree with him."
While Jos went out of his way to back Horner after the crowd's reaction, the ex-F1 racer doesn't shy away from expressing worries about Red Bull's potential slide.
"If they can't get out of this (situation), then you're worried about the years after that," Verstappen Snr said. "We are optimistic, but we do want to see progress."
With design guru Adrian Newey set to start work at Aston Martin in just one week, Jos Verstappen pondered: "Can (Red Bull) still, with these new people, create a good car? Because you will also take that with you to 2026, where everything is new."
"It is just a matter of waiting and hoping that Red Bull has built a good car."
