Steve Hill, CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, has hit back at Max Verstappen following comments from the Dutchman before the Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend commences.
The three-time defending World Champion had already made his feelings clear about the event during the São Paulo GP weekend.
“I’m actually not that into it. I’ll go there and do my thing and be gone again.”
He doubled down on those comments in his Thursday media session at the venue itself after the opening ceremony took place.
“For me you can all skip these things. It’s not about the singer, it’s just standing up there, you look like a clown.”
On the whole weekend, Verstappen expects it to be pretty much all about the show.
“99% show, and 1% sporting event.”
Photo credit: Red Bull Content Pool
The 26-year-old expanded on his comments, saying he will always be true to himself and express what he really thinks.
“I mean, I guess they still make money if I like it or not, so it’s not up to me.
“But you know, I’m also not going to fake it, I just always voiced my opinion in positive things, and negative things.”
Verstappen prefers to get on with the racing and would rather cut out stuff pre-event or pre-race ceremonies.
“And that’s just how I am. And some people like a show a bit more.
“I don’t like it at all, I grew up just looking at the performance side of things, and that’s how I see it as well. So for me, I like to be in Vegas, but not so much for racing.”
Speaking to Motorsport Magazine, Steve Hill suggested Verstappen could be feeling some nerves and pressure ahead of the first race held at Vegas in over 40 years.
“Max has been a little chippy, frankly, about the race here.
“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].”
Verstappen has won a whopping 17 out of the 20 Grands Prix to date this campaign. Hill expects it’s going to be a great outcome either way whether Verstappen or someone else is the victor.
“To me, the perspective on the racing is a little different because it’s in Vegas and it’s our first year.
“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.”
*Editor’s note: Formula 1 races have already taken place at Las Vegas in 1981 and 1982 — it was officially called the Caesars Palace Grand Prix.
