Max Verstappen says he felt “like a clown” at Wednesday’s opening ceremony for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, criticising the glitzy nature of Formula One’s return to the city.
Ahead of this weekend’s race, which will be the first F1 event to be held in Las Vegas since 1982, the world champion joined other drivers in making an appearance at Wednesday’s show.
Kylie Minogue, will.i.am, Thirty Seconds to Mars and Cirque du Soleil performed at the show, which also featured a state-of-the-art drone display as F1 looks to make further waves in the American market with its third United States-based event of the season.
Verstappen, however, did not enjoy the festivities, telling reporters: “For me, you can skip all these things.
“It’s not about the singer, it’s just… standing up there, you look like a clown. I just like to always focus on the performance side of things.
“I don’t like all the things around it, anyway. I know, of course, in some places they are part of it, but let’s say it’s not in my interest.”
Putting on a show in Vegas, F1-style! 🤩#LASVEGASGP #F1 PIC.TWITTER.COM/HYPKWWPYQR
— Formula 1 (@F1) NOVEMBER 16, 2023
The penultimate race of the 2023 season will take place on a new 3.8-mile street circuit, taking in a 1.4-mile stretch of the iconic Las Vegas Strip and being lined by many of the city’s most recognisable landmarks.
Verstappen, however, is not convinced the event will be a sporting success, accusing F1’s owners Liberty Media of prioritising commercial returns and ignoring divers’ concerns.
“You can look at it two ways, business side or sport side. Of course, I understand their side of it as well, but I’m just voicing my opinion on the performance side of things,” he said.
“We are not stakeholders, so we just go with it. I mean, they decide what they do, right?
“I would do the same if I was the owner, I wouldn’t listen to the drivers, it’s my sport, I do with it what I want.
“I mean, I guess they still make money if I like it or not, so it’s not up to me. But I’m also not going to fake it, I always voiced my opinion, on positive things and negative things.
“That’s just how I am, and some people like a show a bit more.
“I don’t like it at all, I grew up just looking at the performance side of things, and that’s how I see it. So for me, I like to be in Vegas, but not so much for racing.”
Kicking off the #LASVEGASGP 🇺🇸 PIC.TWITTER.COM/NGBEYRPMUZ
— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) NOVEMBER 16, 2023
