Max Verstappen thinks first day in Las Vegas was 'unfortunate for everyone'

18 November 2023 at 07:41

Estéban den Toom

It was a much-discussed day in Formula 1. The first day of the weekend in Las Vegas. After only eight minutes, the first free practice session was cut short due to safety reasons. Max Verstappen already criticised the Las Vegas Grand Prix before the weekend and got his revenge after the bizarre events on the first day.

"Long day. Very nice day, haha," Verstappen told Viaplay about the first day of racing in Vegas. "Of course, it was just unfortunate for everyone. In the end, of course, you drive that second session, but no one is there. It actually felt like you were doing pre-season tests. No fans in the stands, everyone had to get out. You didn't really feel like you were in a session or anything."

When asked about the pit lid that came off, Verstappen explained that it was down to the organisation after all. "You obviously have to learn from that. You know that when you go to a street circuit, things like that can cause problems. Then, of course, you have to be prepared for that."

Verstappen on Wolff

Wolff defended the Las Vegas Grand Prix, saying such a loose manhole cover 'can happen.' Verstappen thinks it was a different story if it involved a W14. "If it had happened to his car he would have squealed differently, but I am also not used to anything else from him. We would have been just as angry as Ferrari, " he concludes.