(Las Vegas) The Las Vegas Grand Prix is an absolute spectacle of extravagance and Max Verstappen has absolutely no interest in the excess and opulence woven into Formula 1’s first visit in 41 years to ‘the city of vice”.
The three-time reigning drivers’ champion called Saturday night’s race “a 99 percent spectacle and a 1 percent sporting event” while complaining that he felt “like a clown” on stage during Wednesday evening’s opening ceremony, which featured several musical artists.
Verstappen was then conspicuous by his absence at the VIP party at The Wynn hotel, where F1 president Stefano Domenicali asked all drivers to attend.
“I just always like to focus on the performance side of things. Anyway, I don’t like everything around it. I know, of course, that in some places it’s part of it, but let’s say it’s not in my interest, said the Red Bull team driver. I’m looking forward to trying to do my best, but I’m not looking forward (to the show). »
F1 is determined to make the race on the ‘Las Vegas Strip’ a success and has invested heavily in what it hopes will be a long-term destination for its annual calendar. The entire build-up to Saturday night is filled with expensive experiences for amateurs – both on the track and in casinos and restaurants – and celebrities are expected to arrive any time before Thursday’s first two practice sessions evening.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix is F1’s third stop in the United States this year, more than any other country, and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton said market demand was strong enough to support the event and make Saturday evening a success.
“It’s one of the most iconic cities among the other extraordinary cities in America. All the lights, the show. It’s a great show, that’s for sure, he stressed. And it will never be like Silverstone, but maybe over time people here will learn to love this sport. Maybe the track will be good, maybe it will be bad. I think you shouldn’t complain until you try it. »
And he defended the management of F1 and Liberty. The United States Grand Prix was the only F1 stop in America from 2012 to 2021. The Miami Grand Prix was added in 2022 and now Las Vegas makes its debut on the ‘Strip’ after two races in 1981 and 1982, who used a Caesars Palace hotel parking lot.
“I’ve heard a lot of people are complaining about the direction Stefano and Liberty are taking, but I think they’ve done an incredible job,” Hamilton added. This sport is experiencing massive growth. We just need to think about the impact we have in these different places. It’s not just a circus that comes here and then leaves. We should think about how we can have a positive impact on the community here and especially the children. »
Verstappen admitted he was aware of what Liberty Media was trying to do with F1, even though he prefers to focus on racing.
Ticket and hotel prices dropped for the event last week, and although tickets still come directly from the Las Vegas Grand Prix site, brokers are now reporting that there has been an increase in interest of last minute. Gametime reported that the most expensive seats are listed at $7,109 for the weekend, up from $4,613 a week ago.
Stubhub, meanwhile, noted that the Las Vegas Grand Prix was the best-selling F1 race of the year and ranked among the top 10 best-selling sporting events of the entire year globally on the secondary site .
It is the most expensive race on this year’s 24-event calendar.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff explained that he was looking at this week from two different angles. He said that “the team principal in me is dreading the race” because of so much unknown on the track and the expected temperatures that are not suitable for Mercedes’ performance.
“This team leader, this narrow-minded racing person, thinks it’s going to be very difficult,” Wolff insisted.
But as a part of F1’s success, he appreciates the attempt to hold a Grand Prix in Las Vegas.
“If we put on a good race, it’s going to be entertaining. And to be able to do that in the middle of Las Vegas, on the ‘Strip,’ was unthinkable many, many years ago. I hope that we will become a staple among the big events that take place every year in Las Vegas and that we will offer great racing,” concluded Wolff.