The 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix witnessed seven-time world champion, Lewis Hamilton, face a substantial amount of hate from the spectators. Fans booed the Briton as he stepped up in parc ferme after securing pole position ahead of Max Verstappen.

Later that weekend, he received a similar level of treatment despite putting up a stellar comeback show to steal P3 from Carlos Sainz. And Ziggo Sport reporter, Jack Plooij, is absolutely disappointed with Dutch fans.

But that’s not it. The Dutchman laid a stronger claim against the team principals of Red Bull and Mercedes, who were in their own off-track rivalry.

Red Bull & Mercedes bosses to blame for fans’ hate?

When Hamilton faced booing from the crowd in Hungary last weekend, it initially looked like the rivalry between himself and Verstappen was to blame. But Plooij reckoned that it wasn’t the only reason.

Both Christian Horner and Toto Wolff have fired shots at each other throughout this season, which Plooij felt may have gotten into the fans’ heads.

Hence, he affirmed that the politics between Horner and Wolff is partially the reason behind rising hate for Verstappen and Hamilton. “I don’t think that’s right. They shouldn’t do something like that,” he said in an exclusive interview with Motorsport Netherlands.

“By pushing it outwards like that, the fans pick it up very much. And I’m a bit ashamed of that. Booing for a race winner, come on. I’ve never experienced that in Formula 1,” he further added.

More hate in store for Lewis Hamilton?

Very much likely. After all, the incidents at Silverstone and Hungaroring may have intensified the rivalry between Mercedes and Red Bull.

Although neither of the drivers has shown any kind of scorn against each other, one can’t say the same for the fans.

And with the next two races set to take place at Spa and Zandvoort, there are going to be a significant number of Dutch spectators in the stands, celebrating the with orange smokes.

Hence, Mercedes, on the whole, are in for a tough couple of race weekends. But, against the underlying odds, will the Dutch fans opt to respect Hamilton amidst requests from the director of the Dutch Grand Prix? Well, we’ll know in time.

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