They know nothing but Ferrari: The Tifosi in Italy are notorious – Max Verstappen had his very own experience, and both McLaren drivers along with him
They are biased like no other audience, and yet everyone loves coming to Italy to experience the spectacle. The Tifosi create an incomparable atmosphere – but only for two cars on the grid. As a result, Max Verstappen, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris found themselves more or less in enemy territory after qualifying – and felt it to some extent
“I had a funny story in qualifying when we drove into the pits,” says Verstappen. “A lot of people were clapping. Then a guy did a few other things to me. So I gave him the finger.”
“And the next time I came past, he clapped. That’s how you learn. It’s easy not to be nice to the riders, but I can’t be nice to you either. Luckily he was sitting a bit higher up. But that’s a good thing. I think he appreciated it afterwards.”
Verstappen is aware that the majority of fans want to see him lose. But he emphasizes that this is an exception. “The fans here are generally very passionate. They love motorsport. Of course there is more support for Ferrari here, but that’s perfectly fine. And yes, Italy loves motorsport. We’ve already experienced that in karting.
Piastri agrees: “Yes, I think I’ve seen the same guy. He didn’t give me the finger, but he gave me the thumbs down.” The fact that the fan has apparently changed his mind about Verstappen turns Piastri into a journalist: “Have you signed with Ferrari or something? Is there something we don’t know?”
“But it’s cool,” the Australian continues. “In all sports it’s always fun to annoy your opponents a bit, it’s part of the sport. Of course, there’s always a limit. But that’s what sport is all about. If you look at the rivalries in soccer and so on, there’s always a lot of passion on both sides.”
Overall, he compliments the Italians in Emilia Romagna: “The Ferrari fans are the epitome of passionate fans. They were very hospitable this weekend. Maybe not from afar in the pit lane, but they were very passionate. We love fans like that in Formula 1.”
That’s why he enjoys coming to Italy, even though the circuit is not one of his favorites: “None of the fans cheer for me. They only cheer for Ferrari. That’s why it’s always something very special for me to be here. Well done to the fans.”
And Norris also remembers the same fan: “Yes, I saw the same man, but I think he was on my side. To be honest, the Italian fans have always been very nice to me and very supportive. Yes, I’ve always enjoyed coming here.”
Perhaps, he believes, it is because of his past in karting: “Most kart races take place in Italy. So you spend a lot of time here. That’s why I’ve always had a lot of support. So I thank the fan who was up there and everyone else. Obviously I’m not with Ferrari and a lot of them want me to go to Ferrari, but they’ve always been great fans for me. “