Max Verstappen has described the Las Vegas Grand Prix as “99% show
and 1% sporting event” while also dismissing the pre-race ceremony
as making him feel like a “clown.” Prior to the traditional media
activities, all 20 drivers made their way to the grid for the
pre-race ceremony where they were raised on platforms to greet
fans. Attendance was sparse with Verstappen not impressed by the
event – as the World Champion doubled-down on his dislike of the
event overall. Verstappen has been particularly vocal about
believing F1 is simply in Las Vegas for the show, with sporting
reasons a firm second, believing 99% of the reason why the race was
taking place was for entertainment purposes. Verstappen’s scathing
response “99% show and 1% sporting event,” Verstappen told media
including RacingNews365 of the upcoming race. “I don’t have a lot
of emotions to be honest, I just want to focus on the performance
side of things, I don’t like all the things that are around, I know
they are part of it, but it is not in my interest. “[The track] is
not very interesting], and I just want to do the best I can – there
is no problem – but it’s not really my thing. “If I like it or not,
it is not up to me, but I am not going to fake it. “I just voiced
my opinion on positive and negative things, and that is just how I
am. “Some people like the show a bit more, I don’t like it at all.
“I grew up just looking at the performance side of things, and that
is how I see it as well. I like to be in Vegas – but not so much
for the racing.” Verstappen also had a scathing verdict on the
pre-race opening ceremony that took place. “For me, you can skip
all these kinds of things,” he said. “It’s just standing up there,
[and you] look like a clown.”
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