Show over racing? After Max Verstappen’s outburst, the other Formula 1 drivers are now also speaking out: Is the show in Las Vegas too much?
This weekend, the owner of Formula 1, Liberty Media, is realizing its long-held goal of bringing the racing series to downtown Las Vegas, with a track that encompasses a large part of the famous strip in the gambling metropolis.
In keeping with Vegas’ status as an entertainment capital, Formula One has pulled out all the stops to host its own Super Bowl, with the glitz of an ambitious opening ceremony on Wednesday and the glamor of numerous PR and fan activities at the city’s many casinos.
Not every driver is a fan of having to jump through extra hoops to please the bosses and sponsors of Formula 1. World champion Max Verstappen, for example, railed that he felt like a “clown” during the glitzy opening ceremony. “For me, you can skip all that,” said the Red Bull driver. “It’s not about the singer, it’s just about standing up there and looking like a clown. “
Alonso praises: Las Vegas deserves drivers’ commitment
In contrast to the Dutchman’s view, Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso believes that Formula One’s massive investment in the event, reported to be in excess of $500 million, and the coup of getting permission to race on the Strip, merits the extra effort for the drivers.
“I have to say that I think places like this, with the investment that’s been made and the venue that we’re racing in, deserves a little different treatment and a little extra showcase of what we’ve done today,” Alonso said. “I have no problem with doing a little bit more for these types of events. “
Leclerc: You have to take every opportunity
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc felt Wednesday’s packed program was “a lot”, but agrees that it is a unique opportunity for Formula 1 to reach a different audience: “It’s a lot. But I think if you don’t do it here, you don’t do it anywhere else,” he says.
“But when you come to a place like Vegas or Miami, Formula 1 has to take every opportunity it can. And if that means putting a bit more show around the race, then that’s great.”
“That might attract people who aren’t initially interested in racing, but then when they see the cars in real life, they get interested. And that could bring a lot of new fans to the sport in the coming years. I think it’s great what Formula 1 has done so far. “
Leclerc: As long as we are left alone before the race …
Ahead of what is expected to be a packed grid on Saturday, which will provide even more entertainment and pageantry at the track, however, Leclerc cautions that Formula 1 needs to give the drivers enough space to focus on their race.
The driver presentations in Miami at the beginning of the year did not go down particularly well with some drivers in the field. “There is a line that should not be crossed,” he adds. “Today is Wednesday, so it’s fine that we have this opening ceremony and all that.”
“Then, ten minutes before we get in the car, we have to be in our zone and not be disturbed by what’s going on around the race, so that has to be protected. From the laps to the grid, we should be left alone so that we can concentrate on the actual race. “
Russell: Las Vegas will not be the most beautiful track
Mercedes driver George Russell adds: “You definitely have to find a balance. But I realize that we’re all here because we’re supported by the fans. The TV presence makes the sport what it is because people want to tune in and watch entertainment. The same goes for the track layout. “
“For the 20 drivers, it won’t be the most beautiful track we’ve driven all season. But this is a sport that millions and millions of people want to watch every week. And probably the majority of people know, or at least everyone understands, what a great race is with overtaking maneuvers and battles.”
“But only the die-hard fans can really appreciate the greatness of a track like Silverstone or Suzuka or Monaco. So times are definitely changing and I think we just have to accept that. “
Bottas: Opening ceremony “no big deal “
Valtteri Bottas from Alfa Romeo, who is currently making headlines for publishing a nude calendar for 2024, is relaxed about the show aspect: “The whole thing took up about 30 minutes of our time. So that’s fine. I think it was much more efficient than what we had in Miami, for example.”
“And I think what they’re doing here before the race is going to be a shortened version of that. So I think they’ve learned from previous attempts. For me, that’s fine. I haven’t seen what it looked like from the front, for example. But if people like it, I mean, the day before we go, 30 minutes of everybody’s time, that’s not a big deal. “
