Christian Horner claims Max Verstappen was uncomfortable with the ‘show element’ of the Las Vegas GP

Max Verstappen had a sensational outing during the 50-lap Las Vegas GP.

Christian Horner claims Max Verstappen was uncomfortable with the ‘show element’ of the Las Vegas GP

Christian Horner and Max Verstappen. (Image via IMAGO)

Max Verstappen, the reigning F1 world champion, had a memorable outing during the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix. While Verstappen was elated with his win at the strip, he was not at all pleased with the show element of the weekend. The Red Bull team principal, Christian Horner has indicated that it was a bit too much to bear for his driver.

Since landing in Las Vegas, Verstappen said several negative things about the event and even deemed it ‘99% show and 1% a sporting event.’ Moreover, at the end of the highly anticipated Las Vegas GP opening ceremony, he took things up by saying that he felt like a clown during it.

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A lot has been made of Verstappen’s menacing comments since then, but ahead of the upcoming Abu Dhabi GP, Christian Horner has somewhat defended his driver and as reported by racingnews365, made it known that his star driver was not all against the Las Vegas race, the only thing that proved a bit too much for him were the external activities/the glitz and glam that took place outside of the F1 track.

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He wasn't judging the race, I think he was judging what he feels. He feels a little uncomfortable with the show element, the Super Bowl effect of what was applied. But in terms of the race, he would have certainly enjoyed it.

Max Verstappen won the Las Vegas GP in a nail-biting affair

While Max Verstappen has received mixed reactions from several people for his off-track antics at the Las Vegas GP, he was pretty much on it during the 50-lap Las Vegas event. From the get-go, he was quite aggressive and made a daring move on Charles Leclerc going into Turn 1 on the very first lap of the race.

Max Verstappen (Credits: Imago)
Max Verstappen (Credits: Imago)

Moreover, when it came down to the last few laps, he was really able to come to the party as he made two slick moves of Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez to clinch the victory. Despite the other two driver’s best efforts, they were not able to overtake Verstappen by the time the chequered flag fell at the event.

Max Verstappen has so far managed to win a brilliant eighteen Grand Prix in 2023 and will most definitely look to make it eighteen during this week’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. It is the final event of this year and several eyes will be on the reigning world champion.

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