F1 fans in Italy are ruthless. While Ferrari drivers typically earn the loudest cheers of the season at Monza, their competitors can be subject to a chorus of boos.
But the Tifosi also have a history of changing their mind. Sebastian Vettel was intensely jeered on the Monza podium during his days at Red Bull, but then he became Ferrari’s great hope in 2015.
Likewise, Lewis Hamilton once called the Monza podium his least favourite. His era of dominance at Mercedes, which came at Ferrari’s expense, led to a hostile reception.
And yet, Hamilton merchandise was everywhere at Imola last weekend. He thrilled fans with his charge from 12th to fourth in the race.
But one driver has managed to earn the approval of the Italian crowd without joining Ferrari. His image has completely changed in 2025.
Max Verstappen ‘cheered and sung onto the podium’ at Imola
Max Verstappen has enjoyed one of the most dominant spells in F1 history. After defeating Hamilton at the 2021 finale, he pulled away from Charles Leclerc in 2022 and won a record 19 races in 2023.
While his win tally dropped to nine last year (with seven of those coming in the first 10 races), he still extended his title streak to four. He’s just one shy of Michael Schumacher’s benchmark (2000-04).
This year, though, Verstappen is the ‘underdog’. McLaren’s 132-point lead in the constructors’ shows that they have the best car, but the Dutchman’s win at Imola pulled him to within 22 of championship leader Oscar Piastri.
According to De Telegraaf journalist Erik van Haren, F1 fans are starting to appreciate Verstappen’s greatness this year. The aftermath of Sunday’s race captured the change, with the 27-year-old ‘sung onto the podium’ just two years after he was fiercely booed at Monza.
“Verstappen is now a bit of an underdog, isn’t he?” Van Haren said. “If you looked at last weekend, there’s a bit more sympathy, not from us, but from many people.
“More people now seem to realise how great he is. At the media centre at the circuit, there were people clapping.
“After the race, he was cheered and sung onto the podium by Italian fans. A few years ago, things were different. I think that’s nice to see.”
Where Damon Hill now stands on Lewis Hamilton vs Max Verstappen
Verstappen has long been a divisive driver in F1 given his ruthless approach to wheel-to-wheel racing. He currently has more penalty points than any other driver (eight).
He also went up against the sport’s best-known figure in his first title bid, and the circumstances of his triumph remain bitterly controversial to this day. His monopoly thereafter was bound to alienate some viewers.
But Jacques Villeneuve compared Verstappen to Ayrton Senna after the Emilia Romagna GP, where he took his second win of the year after a memorable first-corner move on Piastri.
And Damon Hill believes Verstappen is now level with Hamilton as he chases what would surely be his finest championship yet. He’s prevented 2025 turning into a procession for the McLaren team, and that’s earned him more respect.
