In addition to a drone show and musical performances, the event included a section where drivers emerged from giant boxes on pit road and were introduced to the audience.
Verstappen, who also chose to miss a later VIP event at the Wynn’s hotel complex to which F1 boss Stefano Domenicali had invited all drivers, made it clear he is not enjoying the Las Vegas experience so far.
“For me, you can all do without these things,” said the Red Bull driver when asked about the ceremony. “It’s not about the singer, it’s just about standing up there, you look like a clown.”
When asked to what extent the weekend in Las Vegas was a show, he replied: “99% show and 1% sporting event.”
The three-time world champion continued: “Not a lot of emotions to be honest. I just like to always focus on the performance side of things.”
“I don’t like everything around it anyway. Of course I know they belong in some places, but let’s just say it’s not in my interest.”
As a result, Verstappen indicated he was not looking forward to the event – the first to be held in Las Vegas on a new inner-city street circuit since the Caesars Palace Grand Prix in 1982
“No, I’m looking forward to doing my best, but that’s not what I’m looking forward to [the show],” he said.
Verstappen acknowledged that Liberty Media was keen to make an impression in Las Vegas and “fully understood” his desire to maximize the show element.
He said: “You can look at it from two perspectives, the business side or the sporting side, so of course I understand their perspective too, but I’m just giving my opinion on the performance side of things.”
“We are not stakeholders [shareholders], so let’s just go with it. I mean, they decide what they do, right?
“I would do the same if I were the owner. I wouldn’t listen to the drivers, it’s my sport, I’ll do what I want with it if that were the case.”
Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing
Asked if he thought voicing his opinion would make a difference, he downplayed the suggestion.
“It’s not my goal for it to make a big difference either,” he said. “But if you ask me a question and I feel like I want to answer it, I will answer it honestly.”
He added: “If someone really wants to go in that direction, that there should be a lot more show attached to the type of program, then I guess we’ll have to look into it.”
“But as long as everything is going well, you can of course say that everything is working well. But yeah, let’s see how long the fans like it too.
“I just drive where I need to go. I mean, you can still express your opinion on things. For the rest of you, just do your weekend and move on to the next one.”
Verstappen was pressed on the value of his opinion to Formula 1 and Liberty and played down the potential impact.
“Well, I don’t know,” he said. “I think they’re still making money whether I like it or not, so it’s not up to me.”
“But you know, I’m not going to fake it either, I’ve just always expressed my opinion on positive and negative things.”
“And that’s exactly how I am. And some people like a show a little bit more.
“I do not like that at all. I grew up looking at the performance aspects, and that’s how I see it too. So personally I like being in Las Vegas, but not so much to race.”
Verstappen also made it clear that he is not very impressed with the track layout in Las Vegas.
“Yeah, not very interesting,” he said when asked about it by Motorsport.com. “There just aren’t many curves, to be honest.”
“I don’t know it. I mean, it’ll probably depend a bit on how grippy it is too. It doesn’t look like it has much grip, but yeah, we’re going with the flow.”
“I don’t think it’s that exciting, that’s the only thing.
“But of course a street circuit isn’t very exciting for me, especially with these new cars.”
“They are just too heavy. And especially if you have little grip, that doesn’t help.”
“Of course it will be great to drive through the Strip, but the layout itself is not the most exciting in my opinion.
“An F1 car is a lot more fun when there are lots of high-speed corners.”
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