Published By: Siddarth Sriram
Last Updated: November 17, 2023, 07:39 IST
United States of America (USA)
Lewis Hamilton. (Credit: Twitter)
Red Bull’s Verstappen had stated the occasion was “99 percent show and one percent sporting event” and stated the road monitor was “not every interesting”.
Seven-times Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton has defended the organisation of the Las Vegas Grand Prix after criticism from present world champion Max Verstappen.
Red Bull’s Verstappen had stated the occasion was “99 percent show and one percent sporting event” and stated the road monitor was “not every interesting”.
Other drivers together with McLaren’s Lando Norris and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz had questioned the quantity of economic commitments that drivers have needed to undertake across the race.
| Max Verstappen’s Honest Opinions On The Las Vegas GP “First of all, I think we are there more for the show than the racing itself if you look at the layout of the track.”
“But you know, I’m actually not that into it. I’m more like, I’ll go there and do my thing and be… pic.twitter.com/hkBbmHKU5g
— el Formula (@elFormulaOne) November 13, 2023
Follow all the action from the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 including the World Cup schedule, World Cup 2023 results, and ICC Cricket World Cup points table. Players are vying to top the World Cup 2023 Most Runs and World Cup 2023 Most Wickets charts.
The comments, after a glitzy opening ceremony with a drone show and performance from Australian singer Kylie Minogue, are unlikely to have pleased F1’s American owners Liberty Media, who are also promotors of the Vegas race.
But Hamilton said that the growth the sport in the United States was a welcome development and praised the American investor and Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali.
“I hear there are a lot of people complaining about the direction that Stefano and Liberty has gone. But they are doing an amazing job,” stated the Mercedes driver.
“The sport continues to grow. It is a business and you will still see good racing here. It is a country to tap into and really captivate the audience,” he stated.
Hamilton stated there was clearly a buzz across the occasion.
“Everybody I know in Hollywood is coming and there will be a lot of business going on this weekend,” he stated.
“It will be a good spectacle to watch, even for those back home who have never been to Vegas. They will get to learn what it is all about,” he stated.
The race will go alongside the well-known ‘strip’, dwelling to town’s high accommodations and casinos.
The return of F1 to Vegas after a 41 yr absence follows the addition of Miami to the circuit whereas the US Grand Prix is held in Austin, Texas.
“We needed to have at least two races in the US, one wasn’t enough, and this is one of the most iconic and unique cities that they have here,” stated British driver Hamilton, who conceded that the environment across the Vegas race was very completely different to a few of the established basic venues on the circuit.
“It is a big show for sure, and it is never going to be like Silverstone, but maybe over time, the people in this community will grow to love the sport,” he stated.
READ: Max Verstappen Blasts Upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix, Calls It ’99 Percent Show’
Verstappen had criticised the monitor saying he wasn’t a fan of avenue programs usually.
“Of course it will be great driving through the Strip, but then the layout itself is not the most exciting. An F1 car is a lot more fun with a lot of high-speed corners,” stated the Dutchman.
But Hamilton stated he would wait till the drivers had competed on it, beginning with Thursday evening’s apply periods, earlier than making any judgement.
“Maybe the track will be good, and maybe it will be bad. It was so-so on the simulator. But don’t knock it until you try it,” he stated.
(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – AFP)
