Daniel Ricciardo is one of the most liked people in the Formula 1 paddock. With his trademark Honey Badger smiles, and his general positive energy, he’s a crowd favorite. But his team principal Christian Horner? Let’s just say he wouldn’t feature toward the top of fans’ list of favorite team principals. But what’s even more interesting is he’s not even liked by people in the UK—his home country— and British fans let it be known at Silverstone last weekend.

Despite being one of the most successful team principals and helping Red Bull build one of the most dominant racecars the sport has seen, Red Bull (and many F1 fans) still don’t like him. And it’s primarily due to how Horner and Helmut Marko have treated drivers in the second seat at Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen. And discussion about the prospects of that seat led to him receiving backlash from fans at the British GP.

Christian Horner asking the silverstone crowd “If we bring him [Ricciardo] back will you be nicer to me?”
by u/slutforpringles in formula1

At a media event after the race, he mentioned Daniel Ricciardo, and the crowd got audibly excited. He said, “On Tuesday, we’ve got Daniel Ricciardo driving. Who wants to see him back?” There’s close to no one in the F1 community who doesn’t like Ricciardo, and seeing him back on the grid excites most.

The crowd cheered even louder after Horner asked that. He continued, asking, “If we bring him back, will you be nicer to me?” He referred to Ricciardo getting the “fairytale ending” to his F1 career at Red Bull. As excited as fans got at Silverstone, many fans didn’t respond well to his insinuation online.

Christian Horner learned his “villain role” from the “best”

Christian Horner said this after explicitly stating, “It’s not something that we’re planning, that’s for certain,” while talking about Ricciardo’s chances of returning to Red Bull. Fans didn’t appreciate him saying this, invariably giving them hope, just to crush them when he has no intention of offering the Aussie a seat. And the fact that he said it just to gain brownie points didn’t sit right with fans on Reddit.

A few users wrote how they think he’s smug and loves gaslighting people, making them believe him even when he doesn’t believe himself. Another user added how he loves to spread rumors.

Reddit Reactions:

“I find his whole demeanour to be smug.

He is also the king of gaslighting.”

“Loves to get the rumours flowing this guy”

One user wrote how he learned to give people hope and crush it from the best—Dr Helmut Marko.

Read More: Christian Horner Dampens Max Verstappen’s Hopes as He Bows Down to Lewis Hamilton’s Stellar Career

“He definitely learned from the best how to stirr shit. Helmut would be proud.”

A few fans pointed out how he has no regard for either Daniel or the drivers currently in Red Bull, mentioning Sergio Perez, whose seat Ricciardo is gunning for.

“Perez: Am I a joke to you?”

A few users mentioned how they’re calling his bluff, knowing there’s no way Ricciardo is getting that seat in Red Bull. One even answered his question about liking him if Daniel returned to Red Bull, saying they wouldn’t want to deprive him of his villain status.

“Nah we know you embrace the villain role wholeheartedly. Why deprive you of your life’s mission?”

A few fans mentioned how he could do nothing to make fans like him. But one of them joked that the only way he could get the British crowd on his side would be to give Lewis Hamilton a seat.

“Nah, no matter what you do Christian you’ll never satisfy them”

What did you think about Christian Horner’s insinuation?

WATCH THIS STORY | Will Daniel Ricciardo Get Swapped in for Sergio Perez at Red Bull?