“To me, the perspective on the racing is a little different because it’s in Vegas and it’s our first year,” he says. “But there are two outcomes: Either Verstappen wins again and he becomes this hugely appropriate winner of the first race back in Las Vegas. One of the greatest drivers ever, in one of the greatest cities ever, in their first race — I think that’s a very fitting outcome.
“Of course, the other possibility is that he doesn’t win and somebody beats him. That’s really going to be news.
“So watching to see whether that happens or not, you’re going to get an opportunity to see greatness at the first race in Las Vegas either way. If you think about any sport, these kinds of firsts matter.”
Alan Jones, winner of the 1981 Caesars Palace Grand Prix may disagree, but it’s no surprise that Hill sees this weekend’s race as a Las Vegas first for F1.
Forty-two years ago, cars raced on a tightly coiled track, designed to fit into the cramped hotel car park, and in sweltering heat. It failed to provide entertainment on or off the track, with spectators sparse in the grandstands. Two years later it was axed.
But with more than $500m invested in the modern race — a blueprint for how grands prix can operated away from dusty, windswept circuits and lines of portaloos — Verstappen may need to get used to putting on a show, off the track as well as on.