Max Verstappen has intensified his criticism of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, deriding the circuit as “National League” in comparison to the “Champions League” quality of Monaco. The world champion also repeated his complaint that Formula One was focusing too much on presenting a show rather than emphasising the sport.

Leading up to the Las Vegas meeting, which marks the return of F1 to the city after 1982, Verstappen belittled it as mostly spectacle with little focus on the sporting aspect. Despite qualifying in third place behind Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz on Saturday, he continued to express strong disapproval of the track and F1’s attempts to attract American viewers.

When questioned about the difference between a qualifying lap on city streets and one in Monaco, he responded with a brief dismissal. He stated, “I believe Monaco is comparable to the Champions League, while this is more like the National League.”

F1 is believed to have invested as much as $700m to make this race happen but Verstappen remained defiantly off message. He again emphasised the visceral pleasure he feels from driving classic circuits but insisted he remained unmoved by F1’s latest and most glittering bauble.

“I have a great appreciation for Las Vegas, but I would not want to drive at high speeds in a Formula One car,” he shared. “I enjoy indulging in a few drinks, placing bets on red, and having delicious food. However, the intense emotions and passion that come with driving on classic tracks, such as Spa and Monza, are not present in Vegas. The energy from the fans at those tracks is unbelievable and when I get behind the wheel, I am filled with adrenaline and thoroughly enjoy navigating those courses.”

Max Verstappen has never been a big fan of street circuits, and he has been especially critical of this particular event. For the first time, F1 is both organizing and promoting the race, and they have been marketing it as a grand display of the sport, comparable to the Super Bowl. This has not impressed Verstappen, who has once again raised concerns that may not sit well with F1 executives.

The speaker expresses that while fans may want activities at a race track, it is crucial to educate them about the sport. Many fans attend simply for parties, alcohol, and entertainment, which can be found anywhere. The speaker can easily find those experiences in other places like Ibiza.

“That is typically what occurs: individuals attend to support their favorite artist, enjoy some drinks with friends, and have a wild night out. However, they fail to comprehend the sacrifices and efforts we put into our performances.”

Source: theguardian.com