Lewis Hamilton silences critics with Las Vegas GP triumph
Lewis Hamilton shuts down critics of the Las Vegas GP, showcasing a thrilling race that surpassed all expectations despite initial challenges
Despite a rocky beginning, the Las Vegas Grand Prix manage to surpass many of the expectations generated before the race.
Max Verstappen from Red Bull, who already holds the title of Formula One world champion, secured his 18th triumph of this extraordinary season. However, this particular race presented a stark contrast to the monotonous and foreseeable affairs that have characterized the sport in recent years.
Multiple lead changes and numerous overtakes occurred throughout the race, with a mere 2.2 seconds dividing the top three at the finish line.
The weekend seemed destined for failure on Thursday when the first practice session was abruptly terminated within 10 minutes due to a loose drain cover. Before this incident, Verstappen had publicly criticized the event and its flashy opening ceremony, referring to the race as "99% show, 1% sport."
Despite the early hiccup, Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton was effusive in his praise of the grand prix, saying it was "so good" to race in.
Max Verstappen was initially critical of the spectacle, but later changed his tune to don an Elvis-themed suit.
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"I cannot comment on how it appeared to spectators, but the amount of overtaking was remarkable," he shared with We. "It reminded me of Baku, but with even more excitement. I did not anticipate the track to be this impressive, but the more laps I completed, the more I fell in love with racing on it.
"There were numerous fantastic chances for overtaking, and I believe those who criticized the weekend, dismissing it as mere spectacle, were proven incorrect by the thrilling races in Vegas."
Verstappen also found joy in the spectacle, as he sang Elvis Presley's "Viva Las Vegas" while seated in the cockpit and wore an Elvis-inspired racing suit during the podium ceremony. This marked the first time in over 40 years that F1 was making a comeback to Las Vegas, with the newly constructed street circuit showcasing the city's famous Strip.
Unsurprisingly, it was a star-studded event with a celebrity face at every turn.
Celebrities, including Usain Bolt, were out in force in Las Vegas.
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Brad Pitt, Rihanna, David Beckham, Shaquille O'Neal, and Usain Bolt, among others, were present at the event. J Balvin, Kylie Minogue, and Tiesto were among the musicians who entertained the crowd throughout the weekend.
The response to the weekend has been varied, but there has been a considerable amount of positivity emerging from Vegas. Andrew Benson, the BBC's chief F1 writer, described the grand prix as a "captivating spectacle."
"On one side, you have the Strip, where cars race by at an astonishing speed of 200mph. The famous Paris hotel, with its imitation Eiffel Tower and Montgolfier balloon, as well as the nearby Venetian hotel, can be seen from here. On the other side, you will be treated to a breathtaking view of the Bellagio, its beautiful fountains, Caesars Palace, and other amazing venues," wrote Benson.
"With a price of $11,247 for a three-day ticket, this experience is truly awe-inspiring. Whether you are a die-hard F1 fan, a sports enthusiast in general, or someone who knows little about either, this view is on par with the mesmerizing Monaco harbor during the grand prix season."
Kylie Minogue provided some of the musical entertainment for the weekend.
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Tom Cary, the Telegraphs senior sports correspondent, said the "biggest positive ⦠was the race itself."
The content had an abundance of action, surpassing initial expectations. Nevertheless, Cary highlighted numerous errors occurring throughout the weekend that may disappoint not just the drivers but also certain fans.
Lewis Hamilton said the race proved doubters wrong.
Ticket prices resulted in many empty seats in the grandstands. Additionally, on Thursday, due to a drain cover issue, fans were forced to leave by F1 in the middle of the night, having only witnessed less than 10 minutes of on-track action.
F1 chief Stefano Domenicali and Las Vegas GP chief Renee Wilm issued a joint statement expressing their understanding of the situation: "It is unfortunate, and we hope for people's understanding."
Reuters reported that F1 has chosen not to provide any refunds but instead offered fans a merchandise voucher worth $200.
