Max Verstappen has once again reiterated that he thinks the Grand Prix of Las Vegas in Formula 1 is more of a show than a sport. “I have zero interest in that,” said the three-time world champion after the spectacular opening show on the famous Strip of the American gambling city.
“This is a combination of 99 percent show and 1 percent sport. Some people like the show, but I don’t like it at all. I grew up watching sports and performance,” said the Red Bull driver.
American owner Liberty Media celebrated the return of Formula 1 to Las Vegas with performances by world stars such as Kylie Minogue, John Legend and Thirty Seconds to Mars and a spectacular light show. The twenty Formula 1 drivers underwent an exuberant presentation to tens of thousands of spectators on the long straight stretch to the start and finish.
Verstappen didn’t like it. “It doesn’t matter if I like it or not, there’s a lot of money being made here. But I’m not going to pretend and just give my opinion. As far as I’m concerned, all that entertainment isn’t necessary; you stand there and look like a clown,” said the Dutchman, who has already won seventeen races this season and has been certain of his third world title since the Qatar GP.
Las Vegas has returned to the calendar after 41 years and is considered the prestige project of the American owners of Formula 1. It is the penultimate race of the season and the city has built a completely new street circuit. It is a 6.2 kilometer long course that winds through the city via seventeen bends, passing icons of the gambling city such as Caesars Palace, Bellagio and The Venetian. The cars are expected to be able to drive at 210 miles per hour on the 1.1-mile straight stretch of the Strip.
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