F1 Las Vegas GP Verstappen “could have said things a little more diplomatically”[F1-Gate.com]

Red Bull F1 motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has defended Max Verstappen’s poor mood throughout the Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend, despite feeling high after an exciting race and victory at midnight on Saturday night. . Verstappen said he felt like a “clown” attacking the event from every angle, given F1’s new spectacle of “99% show and 1% sport”.

Asked what he would change about the event for the future, Verstappen quipped: “Give me an A4 sheet of paper and I’ll write it all down.” Fellow Dutchman and Dutch Grand Prix boss Jan Lammers says: For someone like Max, who came purely for the sport, this is a heavy burden,” Jan Lammers told NOS. However, the 26-year-old Verstappen is concerned about the direction in which F1 is accelerating, with American owner Liberty Media doubling down on the sport in the new era of NetFlix. “The sport is very popular right now, but what will it be like in 10, 15 years?” Verstappen may be the most outspoken current driver about Las Vegas’ extreme “show” elements, but F1 legend Alain Prost has admitted he has similar concerns. “F1 must not become a pure show,” four-time world champion Prost warned L’Equipe. Of course there are those who don’t understand Verstappen’s criticism as Liberty seeks to increase interest in F1, but Verstappen says this strategy risks alienating the sport’s true fans. “I can go to Ibiza and look like shit and have a good time, but what are the people who came here to be fans of what we’re doing? “They don’t understand.” “If they invest more time into the actual sport and make kids want to be world champions, I’d rather do that than just do random shows here and there. I think that’s much more important.” Verstappen also believes race organizers are disrespecting the fans who attended on Thursday. He refused to apologize for the manhole cover mishap and gave us a $200 gift certificate in lieu of a refund. “It’s great, you still make money,” Verstappen scoffed. “If I were a fan, I’d tear this whole place down. That’s not possible.” Asked about Verstappen’s week-long rant about the new event, Las Vegas Tourism CEO Steve Hill said: “Max seems a little frustrated about racing here.”I think he’s a little nervous.” I don’t know, but it just adds some spice to the weekend.” Asked about Hill’s comments, Verstappen hit back: “These guys live in their own world.” But the actual race at least delivered on its promise of thrilling, close-knit wheel-to-wheel competition. Red Bull Racing F1 Team Principal Christian Horner said: “Today the sport had to deliver on track and it delivered. “In the end, even Max was having fun.” In fact, the newly reigning triple world champion even sang “Viva Las Vegas” over the radio after the checkered flag while wearing Elvis Pillesley-themed racing overalls. . Helmut Marko, 80, told De Telegraaf: “I always said that we should draw a conclusion after the race.” “And the race was great.” Verstappen said he “always expected” the actual race to be exciting, with long straights, cooler track temperatures and new asphalt with less grip. “It was never my problem,” he insisted. “But I had fun today, that’s all I have to say about it.” But 2021 title rival Lewis Hamilton couldn’t agree more with Verstappen’s negative attitude over the weekend. “For all the people who were so negative about the weekend and said it was all for show or whatever, I think Las Vegas proved them wrong,” Hamilton said. Even Haas driver Kevin Magnussen criticized Verstappen. “It’s good to have an opinion,” Magnussen told Ekstra Bladet. “But sometimes you can keep it to yourself.” After all, we all make good money and live well. It’s all thanks to this.” “Maybe we should appreciate it a little more.” Marko admitted that Verstappen was running his tongue a little too freely at the end of a long season. “Max is very straightforward, but he could have said things a little more diplomatically, but he’s got everything back now and I’m sure the organizers are happy with him,” Marko said. “You also have to take into account that we are coming to the end of the season. Everyone is tired and all the employees here were suffering from jet lag and dark circles under their eyes. He hates the hassle of PR, and 80% of our sponsors are American, and we’re all here. I think if we had been here earlier in the season, his reaction would have been different.” “If it ends well. Everything is good,” Marco said. “But races like this only happen once a year.”