20 November 2023 , 15:31
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Fernando Alonso issued a scathing verdict of the Las Vegas Grand Prix street circuit in a completely different appraisal to the one Lewis Hamilton gave after the race.
The track has been newly created for the new glamour event on the Formula 1 calendar. It used streets that are technically in the town of Paradise, Nevada, including the famous Las Vegas Strip, to create a 6.2km circuit.
The decision to run the race at night provided a stunning backdrop to the on-track action with the skyline all lit up. And the racing itself was fun to watch too, helped by a mixed-up starting grid and a genuine battle for victory - even if Max Verstappen did win again in the end.
It was a less lucrative day for Alonso who span at the start and ended up finishing ninth to earn just two points. Speaking afterwards, the Spaniard made it clear he was not a fan of the track.
"There is not much fun to drive at this kind of circuits, at 360kph, with no grip, no visibility and bouncing like hell," the Aston Martin driver told reporters. "I know from the outside the show maybe looks good, but these cars are not made to go around corners at 80kph.
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"They are made to go to Suzuka, to Barcelona and Silverstone and maximise the potential - that is where we need to balance the championship and the calendar. It is what we are doing, but I don't think that this is the only way to go - we need to keep the traditional races as well, where the Formula 1 car can shine."
Like Alonso, Hamilton had a difficult day at the office. He lost several places in that melee at the first corner which set him back significantly. And the Mercedes racer's efforts were hampered further still by a puncture which saw him drop to the back again.
The seven-time world champion eventually recovered to finish seventh, scoring only minor points as Ferrari gained ground in the constructors' championship fight for second place. But despite an unsuccessful result, Hamilton had a much different view of the track compared to his old McLaren team-mate.
"I'm really happy to have had a positive race and I'm really grateful that the race was so good," he beamed. "I don't know how it was as a spectacle to watch but there was so much overtaking. It was like Baku, but better.
"I really wasn't expecting the track to be so great, but the more and more laps I did, I just really loved racing. Lots of great overtaking opportunities. I think for all those who were so negative about the weekend, saying it's all about the show, blah blah blah, I think Vegas proved them wrong."