Formula One is used to supporters holding up banners and signs urging on their favourite drivers.
'Go Schumi', "Alonso, You Are The King'; that sort of thing.
It likes to present itself as a cutting edge, glamour sport. Americans watching Sunday's US Grand Prix shambles saw a different picture, however.
The writing was on the fans' faces at Indianapolis and it was not a pretty sight. Some scrawled "$ back" or "US Gone Prix." Drivers were booed, bottles and cans were thrown on to the track.
"F1 is the rude house guest who never brings anything to the party and continues to wipe its muddy shoes on the new Persian rug," opined Indianapolis Star columnist Bob Kravitz.
"'Hey F1, don't let the door hit you on the way out," added the headline.
With just six cars 'racing' after the other 14 pulled out before the start because their Michelin tyres were not up to the stresses of the banked final corner, Indianapolis was not Formula One's finest hour.
It was a public relations disaster.
Fans were outraged, the sport's hopes of cracking the coveted U.S. market shrivelled on the spot and a blight was cast on what had been well on the way to becoming the most fascinating season in years.
{{/usCountry}}Fans were outraged, the sport's hopes of cracking the coveted U.S. market shrivelled on the spot and a blight was cast on what had been well on the way to becoming the most fascinating season in years.
{{/usCountry}}While ticket holders in America consulted their lawyers and vowed never to attend another grand prix, the blame game raged in Europe and the repercussions and ramifications could haunt the sport for some time.
The fiasco will be raked over again in Paris on Wednesday, when the seven Michelin teams appear before the International Automobile Federation's (FIA) world motor sport council.