(CNN) Max Verstappen produced a scintillating performance on the track to win his second straight Miami Grand Prix on Sunday as the 25-year-old ignored boos from some in the crowd.
The Red Bull driver fought back from ninth on the grid to win his third race of the season, taking his lead at the top of the Drivers’ Championship to 14 points.
Despite his declared victory, which only underscored his current superiority, Verstappen was mocked before and after the race by a small group of supporters on the track.
“I think if I drive in the back nobody will do anything in terms of reaction,” Verstappen told reporters after the race.
“I think it’s normal when you win and they don’t like who wins.”
It’s not the first time Verstappen has received a backlash from the crowd.
He was also booed at the British GP in 2022, the season after controversially beating Lewis Hamilton to the world title.
“It’s something for me that’s going very well as long as I stay at the top, that’s the most important thing for me,” added Verstappen.
“I take the trophy home and they go home and they can have a great night.”
Verstappen says the negative reaction from some in the crowd didn’t bother him.
Back on the field, Verstappen ruthlessly knocked out all the drivers in front of him before finally passing teammate Sergio Pérez to take the lead.
Once in front, impossible to catch up.
“Max was particularly strong today, so it’s a well-deserved win for him,” Perez, who started on pole position but finished second, told reporters.
Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, 41, finished a distant third to claim his fourth podium of the season, but Red Bull was once again too good.
“It was a good race,” added Verstappen, who started ninth on the grid after Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc’s crash on Saturday deprived the Dutchman of a fast qualifying lap.
“I stayed out of trouble at first and then just had a clean run, you know, picking the cars one by one.”
Verstappen and Red Bull will look to continue their fine form at the next race in Imola, Italy on May 21.