Vegas. Formula 1 drivers repeatedly complained this week about the smell of marijuana during the Las Vegas Grand Prix, with one even joking that they could test positive for substances.
Marijuana is legal in Nevada and the smell can often be prevalent among attendees at sporting events.
“Yes, there was a smell of joint. “If they test us drivers now, I think they will all be positive, I swear,” said Argentine Franco Colapinto of the Williams team. “When we all test positive, it will be a quilombo (mess),”
The drivers had three practice sessions, as well as qualifying that began on Thursday prior to the Saturday night race.
Max Verstappen, who ended up winning his fourth consecutive title in the series, said the smell of marijuana was quite noticeable.
“I was pretty high in the car,” Verstappen said jokingly. “It’s not ideal because you can also smell it while driving and it’s quite extreme.”
His Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez echoed Verstappen’s comments.
“I’m already a little tired, the amount is incredible,” said the Mexican.
Nevada voters approved legalizing the drug in 2016, and the new law went into effect on January 1, 2017. Marijuana remains illegal under federal law.
Marijuana can only be purchased legally in Nevada at state-licensed dispensaries, and only people at least 21 years old can purchase the drug.
Although the smell of marijuana is common near sporting events, it is rare for the smell to emanate indoors because smoking of any kind is illegal in most indoor public spaces.
As a result, this was not an issue when the NFL Super Bowl was played in February at Allegiant Stadium, which is also the home of the Las Vegas Raiders.
Similarly, while marijuana is often noticeable outside T-Mobile Arena at Las Vegas Golden Knights ice hockey games and UFC events, inside it is another matter.
F1 drivers, notably, didn’t complain last year when the series made its debut on the Las Vegas Strip.
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#drivers #complain #marijuana #smoke #Las #Vegas
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Here are two PAA-related questions for the provided article:
## In the Fast Lane with a Different Kind of Haze: An Interview on F1’s Vegas Haze
**Introduction:** Welcome to World Today News, where we dive deep into the stories that matter. This week, we’re discussing the unexpected scent that permeated the recent Las Vegas Grand Prix – marijuana. We’re joined by two esteemed guests to explore this intriguing topic: Dr. Emily Carter, a sports sociologist specializing in fan behaviour, and Mark Thompson, a motorsport journalist with decades of experience covering Formula 1.
**Section 1: Understanding the Fan Experience**
* Dr. Carter, the article mentions marijuana is legal in Nevada and its smell is often associated with sporting events. Can you shed some light on the intersection of recreational drug use and fan culture, particularly in Las Vegas?
* Mark, you’ve covered numerous Grand Prix races. Is the Vegas environment unique in this regard, or have drivers raised similar concerns about fan behaviour affecting their focus in other locations?
**Section 2: The Driver’s Perspective**
* Mark, some drivers, like Max Verstappen, made light of the situation with humor. Can we assume this was just a case of joviality, or is there a deeper concern about the potential impact on driver performance?
* Dr. Carter, do you think spectator behaviour like this could affect a driver’s mentality, especially given the high stakes and pressure of Formula 1 racing?
**Section 3: The Legal Landscape and Event Policies**
* Mark, how does the legal status of marijuana in Nevada influence organizers’ ability to address or mitigate this issue? Are there any regulations or policies in place regarding fan behaviour at the Las Vegas Grand Prix?
* Dr. Carter, looking forward, what measures could be considered to balance fan freedom with creating a professional sporting environment conducive to peak performance?
**Section 4: Broader Implications**
* Dr. Carter, the article mentions the smell wasn’t as prevalent at other Vegas events held indoors.
Does this incident raise larger questions about the unique challenges of hosting outdoor sporting events where public spaces are more accessible?
* Mark, could this incident lead to a broader conversation about appropriate fan behaviour at sporting events, not just in motorsports but across different disciplines?
**Conclusion:**
Thank you, Dr. Carter and Mr. Thompson, for sharing your invaluable insights. This conversation sheds light on a multifaceted issue that goes beyond a mere whimsical scent. It raises important questions about the evolving relationship between sports, fan culture, local regulations, and the athletes’ experience itself.
