Lewis amilton and Max Verstappen clash over Las Vegas GP track amid F1 chaos

  • Lewis amilton and Max Verstappen clash over Las Vegas GP track amid F1 chaos

After finally getting a taste of the Las Vegas Grand Prix street track, F1 stars Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen were left with contrasting impressions of what it’s like to drive on

After waiting until almost three in the morning to complete any meaningful laps, Lewis Hamilton was left thrilled by the Las Vegas Grand Prix track.

But his Formula 1 rival Max Verstappen was less impressed with the newly-built street circuit. In fact, his outlook on this whole event so far has rather given the impression that the champion would rather be anywhere in the world other than Sin City.

FP1 was cancelled after just eight minutes when Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari pulled a manhole cover out of the ground and caused extensive damage to the car. Not only did that drain need to be repaired, but the others dotted around the circuit had to be checked too.
That meant FP2 started two-and-a-half hours later than planned, at 2.30am local time. The fans that had initially stuck around had already been sent home by the time the on-track action finally got going for real, but even in their absence Hamilton had a ball

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen clash over Las Vegas GP track amid F1 chaos
After finally getting a taste of the Las Vegas Grand Prix street track, F1 stars Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen were left with contrasting impressions of what it’s like to drive on

After waiting until almost three in the morning to complete any meaningful laps, Lewis Hamilton was left thrilled by the Las Vegas Grand Prix track.

But his Formula 1 rival Max Verstappen was less impressed with the newly-built street circuit. In fact, his outlook on this whole event so far has rather given the impression that the champion would rather be anywhere in the world other than Sin City.

FP1 was cancelled after just eight minutes when Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari pulled a manhole cover out of the ground and caused extensive damage to the car. Not only did that drain need to be repaired, but the others dotted around the circuit had to be checked too.
That meant FP2 started two-and-a-half hours later than planned, at 2.30am local time. The fans that had initially stuck around had already been sent home by the time the on-track action finally got going for real, but even in their absence Hamilton had a ball.

F1 apologise as Christian Horner gives Ted Kravitz middle finger at Las Vegas GP

F1 fans fume at Las Vegas GP as they’re told to leave before delayed action even begins
“We are travelling at some serious speeds out there,” smiled the Mercedes star. “It’s incredibly fast and it’s a lot of fun, I had so much fun today. I’m so glad that we did get to run again. Obviously, not great in P1 and what happened, but they did a great job to fix it and yeah an interesting session.

“I had a blast, everyone is struggling with jet lag and all that stuff, and I feel great. I’m so glad that we did get to run again, and it is not great what happened but they did a great job to fix it. [The balance] is okay, it is not too bad. I think when we are all out on the soft tyres, we’re not too far off, and everyone is having graining and running out of tyres but everyone is in the same boat.

“We’re on really low downforce so you’re sliding a lot through a lot of the low-speed corners and also the high-speed corners quite a lot as you don’t have a huge amount of load. You need the straight line speed, and then the [low] temperatures I’m sure are having a big effect.”

The Las Vegas strip has been transformed into an F1 circuit for a unique weekend of action as the 2023 season nears its close. With the second-longest circuit on the calendar, and a fresh surface, there is set to be plenty of unknowns

F1 fans fume at Las Vegas GP as they’re told to leave before delayed action even begins
“We are travelling at some serious speeds out there,” smiled the Mercedes star. “It’s incredibly fast and it’s a lot of fun, I had so much fun today. I’m so glad that we did get to run again. Obviously, not great in P1 and what happened, but they did a great job to fix it and yeah an interesting session.

“I had a blast, everyone is struggling with jet lag and all that stuff, and I feel great. I’m so glad that we did get to run again, and it is not great what happened but they did a great job to fix it. [The balance] is okay, it is not too bad. I think when we are all out on the soft tyres, we’re not too far off, and everyone is having graining and running out of tyres but everyone is in the same boat.

“We’re on really low downforce so you’re sliding a lot through a lot of the low-speed corners and also the high-speed corners quite a lot as you don’t have a huge amount of load. You need the straight line speed, and then the [low] temperatures I’m sure are having a big effect
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Watch the Las Vegas Grand Prix
Follow the Las Vegas Grand Prix action live on Sky Sports
£18 a month

The Las Vegas strip has been transformed into an F1 circuit for a unique weekend of action as the 2023 season nears its close. With the second-longest circuit on the calendar, and a fresh surface, there is set to be plenty of unknowns and you can watch all of the action on Sky Sports.

Lewis Hamilton fears Toto Wolff may be right about Mercedes after boss’ scathing claim
Lewis Hamilton fears Toto Wolff may be right about Mercedes after boss’ scathing claim
Max Verstappen faces
Max Verstappen faces “real threat” to F1 dominance – but not from Lewis Hamilton
F1 chiefs issue Las Vegas GP ban after Max Verstappen warning
F1 chiefs issue Las Vegas GP ban after Max Verstappen warning
Lewis Hamilton tells Max Verstappen stop complaining at Las Vegas GP after
Lewis Hamilton tells Max Verstappen stop complaining at Las Vegas GP after “clown” jibe
F1 chiefs ignore complaints over Las Vegas GP decision – but Lewis Hamilton won’t mind
F1 chiefs ignore complaints over Las Vegas GP decision – but Lewis Hamilton won’t mind

F1 bosses confirm Las Vegas track issue will take
F1 bosses confirm Las Vegas track issue will take “some time” to solve after practice axed

Lewis Hamilton ready to get away from F1 after
Lewis Hamilton ready to get away from F1 after “killer” season amid Mercedes struggles
Lewis Hamilton admits thoughts about quitting F1 as he labels Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton admits thoughts about quitting F1 as he labels Mercedes “complacent”
Lewis Hamilton’s comments at Mercedes event speak volumes about his Las Vegas GP chances
Lewis Hamilton’s comments at Mercedes event speak volumes about his Las Vegas GP chances
Michael Schumacher change revealed which could cause Max Verstappen to quit F1
Michael Schumacher change revealed which could cause Max Verstappen to quit F1
Daniel Ricciardo makes F1 vow as former boss blasts
Daniel Ricciardo makes F1 vow as former boss blasts “selfish” AlphaTauri star
Lewis Hamilton shows class after Brazil GP horror show but Toto Wolff loses his cool
Lewis Hamilton shows class after Brazil GP horror show but Toto Wolff loses his cool
Las Vegas Grand Prix cost for F1 fans as punters forced to pay £2k more
Las Vegas Grand Prix cost for F1 fans as punters forced to pay £2k more
Logan Sargeant’s F1 future clearer than ever after Williams hint and replacement’s deal
Logan Sargeant’s F1 future clearer than ever after Williams hint and replacement’s deal
138439845836
Red Bull admit Sergio Perez has
Red Bull admit Sergio Perez has “zero” chance of Max Verstappen’s help at Las Vegas GP
Red Bull fired F1 warning about hurting Max Verstappen with major 2024 change
Red Bull fired F1 warning about hurting Max Verstappen with major 2024 change

Max Verstappen slams Las Vegas GP
Max Verstappen slams Las Vegas GP “show” and ignores F1 chief’s request to attend event

Lewis Hamilton move to Red Bull discussed as Christian Horner echoes Max Verstappen claim
Lewis Hamilton move to Red Bull discussed as Christian Horner echoes Max Verstappen claim

Max Verstappen makes feelings on Las Vegas GP crystal clear – and F1 chiefs won’t like it
Max Verstappen makes feelings on Las Vegas GP crystal clear – and F1 chiefs won’t like it
George Russell fires Mercedes
George Russell fires Mercedes “stumble” warning as questions remain over Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton fears Toto Wolff may be right about Mercedes after boss’ scathing claim
Lewis Hamilton fears Toto Wolff may be right about Mercedes after boss’ scathing claim
Max Verstappen faces
Max Verstappen faces “real threat” to F1 dominance – but not from Lewis Hamilton
F1 chiefs issue Las Vegas GP ban after Max Verstappen warning
F1 chiefs issue Las Vegas GP ban after Max Verstappen warning
Lewis Hamilton tells Max Verstappen stop complaining at Las Vegas GP after
Lewis Hamilton tells Max Verstappen stop complaining at Las Vegas GP after “clown” jibe

F1 chiefs ignore complaints over Las Vegas GP decision – but Lewis Hamilton won’t mind
F1 chiefs ignore complaints over Las Vegas GP decision – but Lewis Hamilton won’t mind
F1 bosses confirm Las Vegas track issue will take
F1 bosses confirm Las Vegas track issue will take “some time” to solve after practice axed
Lewis Hamilton ready to get away from F1 after
Lewis Hamilton ready to get away from F1 after “killer” season amid Mercedes struggles
Lewis Hamilton admits thoughts about quitting F1 as he labels Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton admits thoughts about quitting F1 as he labels Mercedes “complacent”

Lewis Hamilton’s comments at Mercedes event speak volumes about his Las Vegas GP chances
Lewis Hamilton’s comments at Mercedes event speak volumes about his Las Vegas GP chances
Michael Schumacher change revealed which could cause Max Verstappen to quit F1
Michael Schumacher change revealed which could cause Max Verstappen to quit F1

Daniel Ricciardo makes F1 vow as former boss blasts
Daniel Ricciardo makes F1 vow as former boss blasts “selfish” AlphaTauri star
Lewis Hamilton shows class after Brazil GP horror show but Toto Wolff loses his cool
Lewis Hamilton shows class after Brazil GP horror show but Toto Wolff loses his cool
Las Vegas Grand Prix cost for F1 fans as punters forced to pay £2k more
Las Vegas Grand Prix cost for F1 fans as punters forced to pay £2k more
Logan Sargeant’s F1 future clearer than ever after Williams hint and replacement’s deal
Logan Sargeant’s F1 future clearer than ever after Williams hint and replacement’s deal
Red Bull admit Sergio Perez has
Red Bull admit Sergio Perez has “zero” chance of Max Verstappen’s help at Las Vegas GP
Red Bull fired F1 warning about hurting Max Verstappen with major 2024 change
Red Bull fired F1 warning about hurting Max Verstappen with major 2024 change
Max Verstappen slams Las Vegas GP
Max Verstappen slams Las Vegas GP “show” and ignores F1 chief’s request to attend event
Lewis Hamilton move to Red Bull discussed as Christian Horner echoes Max Verstappen claim
Lewis Hamilton move to Red Bull discussed as Christian Horner echoes Max Verstappen claim
Max Verstappen makes feelings on Las Vegas GP crystal clear – and F1 chiefs won’t like it
Max Verstappen makes feelings on Las Vegas GP crystal clear – and F1 chiefs won’t like it
George Russell fires Mercedes
George Russell fires Mercedes “stumble” warning as questions remain over Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton fears Toto Wolff may be right about Mercedes after boss’ scathing claim
Lewis Hamilton fears Toto Wolff may be right about Mercedes after boss’ scathing claim
Max Verstappen faces
Max Verstappen faces “real threat” to F1 dominance – but not from Lewis Hamilton
F1 chiefs issue Las Vegas GP ban after Max Verstappen warning
F1 chiefs issue Las Vegas GP ban after Max Verstappen warning
Lewis Hamilton tells Max Verstappen stop complaining at Las Vegas GP after
Lewis Hamilton tells Max Verstappen stop complaining at Las Vegas GP after “clown” jibe
F1 chiefs ignore complaints over Las Vegas GP decision – but Lewis Hamilton won’t mind
F1 chiefs ignore complaints over Las Vegas GP decision – but Lewis Hamilton won’t mind
F1 bosses confirm Las Vegas track issue will take
F1 bosses confirm Las Vegas track issue will take “some time” to solve after practice axed
7
COMMENTS
Lewis Hamilton ready to get away from F1 after
Lewis Hamilton ready to get away from F1 after “killer” season amid Mercedes struggle

Verstappen has already criticised all the events taking place off the track, moaning after Wednesday’s opening ceremony that he felt “like a clown”. But even after he had got down to his usual business he still didn’t seem all that enamoured with what this street circuit has to offer.

Asked what it was like to drive on, he replied: “Slippery! We didn’t run a lot in FP1 so it took time to rubber in a little more. In the end, it was better. We managed to do the whole programme which, I guess, is most important for today.

And when pressed on whether he had enjoyed it, he replied: “No, no. I’ve had better tracks in my life. I said that yesterday. There is nothing new that I’ve discovered. We just get on with it.”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *