Formel 1 Las Vegas
“Feeled like a clown” – Verstappen wins – and complains
As of: 09:47 a.m. | Reading time: 4 minutes
What: REUTERS
The first Formula 1 race on the Las Vegas strip is history. Winner Max Verstappen hardly leaves anything good about the show event, where he was put into a kind of Elvis suit. A class action lawsuit is being filed against the organizers.
In the sea of lights in Las Vegas, show critic Max Verstappen extended his Formula 1 record series with his 18th win of the season. Despite a five-second penalty in the crash spectacle with three safety car phases, the world champion crowned his comeback in the gambler’s paradise. In front of the glittering backdrop of luxury hotels, the Red Bull driver relegated Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari to second place and drew level with Sebastian Vettel with his 53rd Grand Prix success. Vice world champion Sergio Pérez came third in the second Red Bull. Nico Hülkenberg didn’t reach the finish line with his Haas.
The show has to be right – especially in Las Vegas, where Formula 1 last raced in 1982. More than two hours before the start of the race, the drivers were loudly introduced to the audience by an announcer on the start-finish straight before they climbed into street cruisers and were celebrated in the stands.
The three-time world champion Verstappen, who had repeatedly criticized the eventing on this weekend, which was so important for the US Formula 1 rights holders, especially the drivers’ parade, was a thorn in his side. Also because of his racing overalls, which are based on the white costume of Elvis Presley, the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll”.
Max Verstappen after his victory
Source: AFP/JIM WATSON
“A certain show element is important, but I like emotions. When I was a little kid, it was the emotions of the sport that I fell in love with, not the show of the sport around it. As a real racing driver, that shouldn’t really be important,” Verstappen had criticized before the race. Even during the opening show, which was peppered with stars like Kylie Minogue, the Red Bull driver felt “like a clown”.
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“I understand that the fans also want something to do when they are at the track. But it’s more important to show them what we do as a sport. Because most people just come to party, drink, see a DJ or another act. I can do that anywhere in the world,” Verstappen also criticized Fan’s behavior: “I think these kinds of things are much more important than all these random shows that are everywhere.”
After the starting grid was cleared with all the celebrities from Shaquille O’Neal to Rihanna, the red lights went out – and the action began. With a resolute maneuver, Verstappen took the lead right in the first corner from Leclerc, who had clinched his fifth pole position this year. However, the world champion in the Red Bull slipped off the track while overtaking with the Ferrari.
Lando Norris lost control
Verstappen was given a five-second penalty for this push-off. “Yes, that’s good, send them my greetings,” said Verstappen caustically to the race management at the penultimate of 22 races of the season.
On the fresh asphalt, Fernando Alonso in the Aston Martin, Valtteri Bottas in the Alfa Romeo and Carlos Sainz in the second Ferrari were spinning at the back. The Virtual Safety Car was deployed to clear debris from the course.
The real safety car had to be deployed on the fourth lap. Lando Norris lost control of his McLaren before turn twelve, spun, slid along the guardrail and crashed into the barrier in the emergency exit. “I’m OK,” the Englishman radioed, got out of his car on his own and was later examined in detail in the hospital.
Oscar Piastri in the McLaren in front of the Las Vegas skyline
Source: AFP/ANGELA WEISS
The thrilling start was to the taste of the organizers, who had embarrassed themselves in the opening training. The first session was canceled after just 19 minutes due to a defective cover on a water shaft. The repairs took so long that the fan zones were cleared and the pilots completed the second training session in front of a ghostly nighttime backdrop.
A Las Vegas law firm has already filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of 35,000 day ticket holders. It’s about $30,000 in damages per person. The organizers reported that the three Grand Prix days were sold out as requested with 315,000 fans.
“He steers into me,” said Verstappen
In the shadow of the oversized illuminated “Sphere” snow globe, Verstappen complained about deteriorating tires after the restart. Leclerc took the lead on lap 16, the Red Bull dominator then came into the pits and served his penalty. Verstappen was now loaded and started the hunt.
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After the Dutchman collided with Mercedes driver George Russell in the fight for fourth place, car parts flew onto the track on the 25th lap. “He steers into me,” said Verstappen excitedly. The safety car went out again and Russell also had to serve a five-second penalty.
After the route was opened, Leclerc lost the lead on the 32nd lap after a Verstappen-style overtaking maneuver by Pérez in the second Red Bull. Meanwhile, Verstappen continued to work his way forward and in the 37th of 50 laps he was where he has almost always been this season: at the front. Leclerc initially lost second place, but caught Pérez in the last few meters.
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