Formula 1 aims for a spectacular night show with the Las Vegas Grand Prix this weekend. Returning to the Nevada desert after four decades, the event will light up the famous Strip, the boulevard known as the City of Casinos. The scene features a ring-like presentation with disco music and neon lights surrounding the grid. Yet one of the sport’s greatest heroes, three-time world champion Max Verstappen, pushed back against the spectacle, saying it makes him feel like a clown. The Dutch driver voiced his frustration at the opposite end from Lewis Hamilton, describing the environment as an undesirable habitat for a true racecar driver.
Before taking the start in Las Vegas, Verstappen had expressed reluctance about a prize that felt largely artificial, echoing doubts about the American city’s vibe. He also did not provide clear information about the conditions of the unprecedented 6.2 km urban circuit, noted as the second longest of the season after Spa-Francorchamps, with 1.9 km of straights and many uncertainties. The forecast called for some of the season’s lowest temperatures, around 5°C during the race. The race will begin on Saturday at 22:00, breaking the usual Sunday schedule for the first time since 1985 in South Africa, a twist welcomed by some and questioned by others. (Source: official Formula 1 scheduling commentary)
[Season standings reference: Formula 1 World Championship]
Even at the opening ceremony on Wednesday night, Verstappen reiterated his discomfort: “For me, it’s about skipping the spectacle, not about the singer. You feel like a clown.” He added, “99% of this will be a show, 1% will be a sports event.”
“I’m not into partying, I don’t have much emotion to spare, and I don’t love everything the teams do, but that’s part of the situation we’re in. I’m not fake; I speak my mind, and I attempt to stay positive and negative at once. That’s who I am. Some people like it. I love Las Vegas, but I don’t enjoy competing in this setup,” he concluded.
As if the spectacle weren’t enough, the Las Vegas GP serves as the penultimate race of the 2023 calendar, with Abu Dhabi looming just a week later. The travel demands add another layer of fatigue: a 12-hour flight and a significant time difference. “The race here feels like it’s in Japan—the night race effectively becomes a day ahead, which is tiring and not very efficient,” remarked a Red Bull driver. (Source: race team comments)
“There are two ways to view F1’s arrival in Las Vegas: the business side or the sporting side. I’m just sharing my opinion; we are not stakeholders in the decision. If I owned the sport, I’d act the same, not listening to the drivers—this is my sport, and I’ll steer it as I see fit,” argued Verstappen.
Fernando Alonso offered a radically different perspective: “Jet lag? No, that’s not the problem—this is what it is.” The Asturian joked about the heavy schedule, noting that the season’s battles, including a fierce fight with Checo Pérez for third place on the podium, keep expectations high for a weekend where a potential 33rd victory might be possible. “A win would be nice, especially in a race like this,” he admitted, but cautioned the track may not be among the favorites for his team, predicting a tough challenge ahead.
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton appeared upbeat about the show while remaining focused on the task at hand. The seven-time world champion, attending a special event with teammate George Russell, spoke about the unique conditions and the learning curve of the new layout. Russell echoed the sentiment, stressing that the biggest challenge could be the temperature, forecasting one of the coldest races in recent memory. He underscored the novelty of the circuit and the limited practice time, expressing excitement about the challenge ahead. (Source: team interviews and press events)