Verstappen said he felt like “a clown” at the fun F1 opening event in Las Vegas.
At the event, there was a drone show, musical acts, and a time when the drivers came out of big boxes in the pit straight as they were introduced by the crowd.
It was clear that Verstappen is not liking Las Vegas so far when he skipped a later VIP dinner at the Wynn’s hotel complex which F1 boss Stefano Domenicali had asked every driver to attend.
When asked about the ritual, the Red Bull driver said, “You can all skip these things.” “It’s not related to the singer; it’s simply being up there; you appear like a clown.”
If you asked him how much of the Las Vegas weekend consisted of a show, his said, “99% show and 1% sporting event.”
“To be honest, there aren’t a lot of emotions,” the three-time world winner said. I just like to keep my attention on the show.
“Anyway, I don’t like everything around it. I’m aware that they are involved in some areas, but let’s just say that’s not in my best interest.
Because of this, Verstappen said he wasn’t looking forward to the race, which will be held on a new street track in the middle of Las Vegas for the first time since the Caesars Palace Grand Prix in 1982.
He said, “No, I am not looking forward to attending [the show]. I’m looking ahead to the chance to do my best.”
Verstappen agreed that Liberty Media wants to make a name for itself in Las Vegas and “fully understood” its desire to make the show the main focus.
‘You can look that it two ways: from the business side or the sport side.’ I understand the business side, but I’m just giving my opinion in the performance side.”
Max Verstappen said that at the opening event for the first Las Vegas Grand Prix, Formula 1 officials treated him and the other drivers like clowns.
During a dramatic light show along with live music, drivers were introduced on huge podiums. However, the three-time world champion expressed dissatisfaction before the second-to-last race of the 2023 season.
Instead of the usual Sunday grand prix, the late-night race on Saturday was called “99 percent show as well as 1 percent sporting event” by Verstappen.
F1 proprietors Liberty Media spent more than £400 million to put on the first race in Las Vegas in more than 40 years. The current sport’s biggest star wasn’t pleased by this move.
“You can skip all of these things for me,” he said. It’s not about the artist; you look silly just standing there.
“I’m not going to lie.” I always said what I thought about things, good and bad. That’s the way I am. There are also people who like the show more. It’s not good at all.
“As a child, I only cared about performance, and that’s still the way I see it now.” Thus, I enjoy being in Las Vegas more than going to races.
F1 officials have put a lot of effort into getting the word out about the third and most exciting race in the United States in 2023. The famous and brightly lit Strip will be closed off for the race.
Formula 1 as well as the City of Lights put together a sparkling, high-energy show with a drone show and musical acts, with Kylie Minogue as the main act.
For the last part of the night’s festivities, and this took place right in front of the track’s huge pit complex, F1 drivers came out on separate stages for an official presentation.
But Verstappen might have been happy to skip the fancy ceremony and spend the night sleeping in the paddock.
The Red Bull driver told them, “For me, you are all able to skip these things.” “It’s not about the singer; it’s simply being up there; you appear like a clown.”