Christian Horner claims Max Verstappen deserves ‘some respect’ over his Las Vegas GP criticism

Max Verstappen agreed to co-operate with the team and followed the razzmatazz of the Las Vegas GP.

Christian Horner claims Max Verstappen deserves ‘some respect’ over his Las Vegas GP criticism

Max Verstappen and Christian Horner (via IMAGO)

The inaugural Las Vegas GP included a lot of pizzazz and glamour around it. FIA and Liberty Media might have overdone themselves and lost the roots of F1, according to the Red Bull driver Max Verstappen. The Dutchman, on multiple occasions, talked about the disappointment of the American race.

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner also sided with Verstappen’s blunt honesty over flattery. The Briton boss appreciated that Verstappen accepted to wear the Elvis Presley suit and sang Viva Las Vegas on the in-lap despite him not being comfortable with all the razzmatazz. Additionally, Horner commented that he deserved some respect over this.

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The fact he won it in an Elvis Presley suit and was singing Viva Las Vegas on an in-lap, whilst you have to respect that it doesn’t sit comfortably with him, some of the razzmatazz that goes around F1, it is quite refreshing that he is prepared to speak and give an honest opinion.

Horner said, as reported by autosport.com.

The 50-year-old insisted that Verstappen, through his performance and comments, showcased that the Las Vegas GP was an imperative racing destination in the calendar. Horner finally claimed that the Dutchman wasn’t simply judging the race and was just a little uncomfortable with the show element of the Las Vegas GP.

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I think he also reflects that it is an important event for F1 and I think the race and the way it delivered today is something you could certainly see he enjoyed. He wasn’t judging the race. I think he feels a little uncomfortable with the show element, the Super Bowl effect, that has been applied here.

Max Verstappen also commented over singing Viva Las Vegas

The race winner sealed his 18th victory of the season after winning the penultimate race. Verstappen won the race with a comfortable lead and also sang Elvis Presley’s song Viva Las Vegas on the team radio in the in-lap after winning the race.

Max Verstappen.
Max Verstappen (via IMAGO)

The Dutchman claimed that he was put on the spot by his team boss, Christian Horner, to sing the song. However, the 26-year-old later added that he probably needed some lessons and sang the song in the spirit of winning the race.

Verstappen also talked great of the Las Vegas GP and commented that he was expecting a great race at the Nevadan circuit. Despite the challenges and incidents in the race, Verstappen was still cheerful towards the end as he emerged victorious in the race and also helped his teammate Sergio Perez finish in the podium.

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