Las Vegas hits back at ‘chippy’ Verstappen: ‘Maybe he’s nervous’

F1

Max Verstappen has been frank in his criticism of the Las Vegas GP, but the city's promoter says his comments bring an "edge" to the weekend, and he'll be key to the race's success, whether he wins or not

Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez wave to crowd at 2023 Las Vegas GP opening ceremony

"We are just standing up there, looking like a clown". Verstappen was not a fan of opening ceremony introductions

Mindy Small/F1 via Getty Images

This weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix is 99% entertainment and just 1% sport, said Max Verstappen ahead of this weekend’s race.

After an F1-backed golfing tournament, a paddock chapel and a star-studded opening ceremony where the drivers were raised up on platforms and stood waving — “like clowns” according to this year’s champion, it’s not difficult to see where he’s coming from.

“I think we are there more for the show than the racing itself if you look at the layout of the track,” Verstappen said after his 17th grand prix victory of the season in Sao Paulo. “I’m actually not that into it. I’ll go there and do my thing and be gone again.”

He went on to criticise the layout, which is dominated by flat-out sections, as lacking “excitement”, and refused to attend a party hosted by F1’s CEO, Stefano Domenicali.

His is a rare voice of dissent among a grid that appears to be largely embracing the atmosphere but, far from shrinking at the criticism, organisers have welcomed even more publicity for the race and put a positive spin on the comments.

Welcome Max Verstappen sign at 2023 Las Vegas GP

Vegas welcomes Max. The feeling isn't mutual

Max Verstappen giving interviews at 2023 Las Vegas GP

Verstappen doesn't hold back in interview

“Max has been a little chippy, frankly, about the race here,” says Steve Hill, CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), which is promoting the race alongside F1 and the city’s major hotels. “I don’t know if that’s because he’s just a little nervous or what but that will also bring a little edge to this [weekend].”

That is perhaps hopeful thinking, given that Verstappen’s overwhelming advantage meant that this season has lacked edge even before he and Red Bull wrapped up both championships with over a quarter of the season remaining.

But the likely prospect of another Verstappen walkover is not something that Hill claims is of any concern.

Related article

“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.