The Las Vegas GP, a spectacle wrapped in the glitz and glamour of Sin City, has ignited a flurry of opinions from two of Formula 1’s most prominent figures: Max Verstappen and Lando Norris. As they revved up for the penultimate race of a season marked by Verstappen’s historic dominance, the Dutch champion didn’t mince words, likening the event to “99% show and 1% sporting event”. This sentiment was echoed in his description of the pre-race ceremony, where he felt like a “clown,” a clear nod to his disapproval of the event’s flamboyance over the opening ceremony.

Verstappen, known for his straightforwardness, remained unenthused about the track itself, emphasizing his focus on performance rather than the surrounding fanfare. He expressed a candid lack of interest in the event’s glitzy exterior, a sentiment that might resonate with purists who yearn for the raw essence of racing over elaborate spectacles.

What did Lando Norris say about the Las Vegas GP?

Lando Norris expressed a mix of acceptance and subtle unease with the evolving nature of Formula 1, emphasizing a shift towards spectacle over the traditional racing focus.

Norris believes that “It’s more of a show than it was a few years ago, to be honest, I just want to come here and drive.”

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The added showbiz elements, while understood as part of the business, don’t quite rev his engines the same way. Participating in events like the Netflix golf tournament, he admits, is not his cup of tea. “I’ve never been the biggest fan of doing these types of things,” he confessed, adding a personal touch to his professional perspective.

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Norris’s reflections offer a glimpse into the inner workings of a sport where spectacle and speed now go hand in hand. It’s a delicate balance between the business of entertainment and the purity of racing, a balance that drivers like Norris navigate with a mix of reluctance and understanding.

As Norris stands on the brink of his first Grand Prix victory, looming large in Norris’s rear-view mirror is the Red Bull team, led by Max Verstappen, a force that has dominated the season with an iron grip.

Las Vegas showdown: Lando Norris’ hopes Vs. Red Bull Dominance

There’s a glimmer of hope for Norris and his supporters. The Singapore race wasn’t Red Bull’s finest hour, as their RB19 car struggled in the tight corners, a rare chink in their otherwise formidable armor. That misstep saw Verstappen finish a distant fifth, a result that Norris undoubtedly recalls with a mix of frustration and hope.

Fast forward to Las Vegas, and the setting couldn’t be more different. The city’s famed Strip, known more for its dazzling lights and high stakes, transforms into a high-speed racetrack with flowing corners and a near-2km stretch that invites full-throttle racing. It’s a layout that, on paper, plays to Red Bull’s strengths, much like the Monza track, where Verstappen’s speed was unmatched.

Despite the odds, Norris clings to hope, yearning for a repeat of the Singaporean upset. But he’s also braced for a reality check, expecting a performance akin to Monza from Red Bull. When probed about Verstappen’s vulnerability in Vegas, given the new and unknown factors of the track, Norris responded with a measured maybe, acknowledging the unpredictability yet downplaying wild speculations. “If you look back to Monza he was way quicker than anyone pretty much. Could be another Singapore-type thing, but unlikely. It’s just a lot of guessing and there’s no point guessing,” he said.

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In a sport where variables can turn the tide in an instant, Norris knows the value of even the slimmest chances. A slight change in weather, a momentary lapse, could be the difference between continuing as a chaser or emerging as a champion. Yet, as Norris aptly puts it, “It could go anyway.”