F1 World Champ slams Las Vegas GP

Liberty Media’s unique blue-riband event is turning into a nightmare as F1 World Champ slams Las Vegas GP. Max Verstappen triggered widespread headlines by denouncing the Vegas GP to be “99 percent show, 1 percent sporting event.” And a street layout that’s “not very interesting or exciting,” as it takes in the fabled ‘Vegas Strip’.

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The Dutchman said the opening ceremony on Wednesday made him feel like a “clown”, with mandatory attendance at a party at the Wynn casino and yet a round of over-the-top driver introductions also scheduled prior to Saturday’s late-night race. At the same time, he admitted he feels like his protests will fall on deaf ears.

F1 WORLD CHAMP SLAMS LAS VEGAS GP

“They make money on it either way. It doesn’t matter whether I like it or not. But I don’t want to fake it either. If I was the owner, I probably wouldn’t listen to the drivers either. I would do what I want with my business. I’m just curious to see how long the fans will still enjoy it,” professed Verstappen.

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The World Champion’s complaints come at the tail end of an arduous, year-long travelling schedule for the Formula 1 circus. With the drivers now tackling jet-lag and the prospect of yet another huge timezone jump for the season finale in Abu Dhabi next week.

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Verstappen’s views are not always shared by his peers, but on this occasion, he had plenty of support. “I didn’t sign up for this part of it at all,” Lance Stroll admitted when asked about Wednesday’s opening ceremony. “I just like racing cars, not trying to be a Hollywood star,” said Stroll. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz agrees that F1 officials might need to “reconsider” certain expectations on the drivers that are getting “busier and busier” every year.

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“We are adding races to the calendar and it’s getting to a point where I think, sometimes, everything feels a bit repetitive and everything feels a bit over-packed and we’re trying maybe to overdo it a bit,” Sainz said. Pierre Gasly said: “In my life it’s going to be the first time I’m moving from one side of the globe to the complete opposite side within a few days. So I don’t really know how I’m going to be feeling.”

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Lewis Hamilton also admitted that Las Vegas’ locals are right to be upset with some of the disruption to their lives caused by the event, while Daniel Ricciardo said he feels for fans being asked to fork out exorbitant amounts for a ticket. “We have to be careful not to alienate ourselves from the fans because of the high prices,” Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc agrees. “We have a few races now where, in my opinion, the tickets are too expensive.” – with GMM.

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