16 November 2023 , 14:21
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Jenson Button predicted Formula 1 drivers would enjoy the glamour and pageantry around the Las Vegas Grand Prix, but Max Verstappen has already gone against that view.
This weekend's action will be the penultimate round of the 2023 F1 world championship. But there's plenty going on besides the race as the sport looks to cash in on the mystique surrounding the famous Nevadan city.
While drivers will of course be focused on their on-track work, 2009 world champion Button predicted they will enjoy everything going on around it as well. "I think they'll enjoy it [Vegas] for what it is when they get out the car after qualifying, after the race and the race build-up," he told GPFans.
"It's so cool that we're going to Vegas. I love it. Is it going to be the best racetrack for the guys? I don't know. Who knows. It doesn't really matter. It's an amazing show. And I think it just shows that F1 is breaking into America that we've got three races, one of them being in Vegas, which is super cool."
But, as Verstappen has already said, there is so much going on in Vegas this weekend that it feels like "99 per cent show and one per cent sporting event". And the triple world champion made it clear he was very unimpressed after begrudgingly taking part in Wednesday's opening ceremony.
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"For me, you can all skip these things," he said. "It's not about the singer, it's just standing up there, you look like a clown... I just like to always focus on the performance side of things. I don't like all the things around it, anyway. I know, of course, in some places, they are part of it, but let's say it's not in my interest."
Verstappen went on to admit he understands why F1 chiefs have made these moves. But he warned that fans could soon grow tired of the entertainment side and feels the racing must remain the most important thing about F1.
He added: "You can look at it two ways, business side or sport side, so I of course understand their side of it as well, but I'm just voicing my opinion on the performance side of things. We are not stakeholders, so we just go with it. I mean, they decide what they do, right? I would do the same if I was the owner, I wouldn't listen to the drivers, it's my sport, and I do with it what I want if that would be the case.
"It's also not my aim that it makes a massive difference, but when you ask me a question and I feel like I want to answer it, I'll answer it in an honest way. If someone really wants to go in this direction, that you want a lot more show attached to the kind of programme, I guess we have to deal with that.
"But as long as everything goes well of course, then also they can say everything is working well. But yeah, let's see how long fans also like this. I just drive where I have to drive. I mean, you can still voice your opinion about stuff. For the rest of you just do your weekend, and go to the next."