Verstappen Could Have Been More Diplomatic With His Las Vegas Criticism Says Marko

Tuesday, 21 November 2023 at 00:00

Red Bull Racing Advisor Helmut Marko reflected on Verstappen's criticism of the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix after the race.

The three-time F1 World Champion Max Verstappen has been one of the strongest critics of the Las Vegas Grand Prix and the show around it, with multiple negative statements over the last two weeks.

Right after the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, he said he would not expect a racing spectacle, and it is not his thing. After the opening ceremony, he said the Las Vegas Grand Prix is 99% and 1% racing and that he felt like a clown.

And then, after the first Free Practice Session incident of Carlos Sainz, the Dutchman said he would tear down the whole place if he was one of the fans that were asked to leave the fan zone on the circuit.

However, contrary to expectations, the Las Vegas Strip Circuit race turned out to be one of the season's most eventful and closest races, with multiple amazing overtakes.

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Red Bull Racing F1 advisor Helmut Marko told De Telegraaf: "I have always said that we should only draw a conclusion here after the race. And the race was fantastic."

Verstappen won the race in the end and even sang the "Viva Las Vegas" song on the team radio after the race which he obviously enjoyed. Marko addressed his prior criticism:

“"Max is very straightforward, perhaps could have said things a bit more diplomatically, but has now made up for everything. I'm sure the organization is very happy with him now."”

The Las Vegas Grand Prix was the 21st race of the 2023 season and followed just after a week of a break after an exhausting triple header in Austin, Mexico City, and Sao Paulo.

Moreover, the race took place in the middle of the night, which F1 drivers and their team are not used to. Marko thinks that might have been one of the reasons for Verstappen's pessimism.

“"You also have to consider that we are at the end of the season. Everyone is tired, all the employees here were struggling with jet lag and had bags under their eyes."”

It is known that Verstappen would avoid all the marketing responsibilities if he could. The 26-year-old is a racer by heart and does not like all the responsibilities associated with his job. And the Las Vegas Grand Prix week was pretty much full of such activities for the Dutchman.

“"Max generally doesn't like all kinds of marketing and PR hassle, but eighty percent of our sponsors are American and present here."”

The Red Bull advisor added he thought Verstappen's reception to the Las Vegas Grand Prix would have been different had it been scheduled at different points of the season.