Humans resist change. F1 drivers are humans too. Remember when drivers criticized the Halo? When drivers were skeptical of the Sprint races? Well, the Halo saved the lives of many and almost everyone enjoys the sprints now. The same might be the case with the introductions at the Miami GP. Despite the persistent criticism from many, Lewis Hamilton finally gets support in favor of the Miami GP razzmatazz. What was the justification for it, though?

Just like the 2022 Miami GP, the 2023 one was also quite boring. Seems like the only interesting part about the Miami GP was the star-studded paddocks and the driver introductions. Many a driver including Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso were not too pleased with the intros. The Spaniard explained how pre-race preparation was hindered because of it and questioned whether Miami fans are special because only they’re getting this spectacle.

Nevertheless, Lewis Hamilton supported the intros as he suggested that it’s cool that F1 is trying new things to improve the showing. It shows that the sport is continuously growing and not doing the same things from the past. Natalie Pinkman has now come in support of Lewis Hamilton as she explains how she loved the intro and that it’s just an American thing. People in the U.S. like to sprinkle a little stardust on everything.

According to the F1 Nation podcast, when asked about the Razzmatazz at the Miami GP, Natalie Pinkman said, “It’s been getting so much criticism, hasn’t it? But I loved it. I mean look, I just you’ve got to go with it, don’t take it too seriously, don’t get too bogged down. I think had the race been an absolute spectacle, people would be talking about that instead but they were a bit distracted by everything that came before. You know it’s America, they like to sprinkle a bit of Stardust.”

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While it’s a great thing for the entertainment side of the business, not so much for the sporting side. The reduced preparation time was a major concern for many drivers. Lewis Hamilton likes it and has gotten some support, but George Russell has other views as he decides to stand with the other drivers on this rather than his teammate. 

George Russell’s views on the Miami GP razzmatazz 

George Russell does understand F1’s point of view, suggesting the driver intros are probably America’s way of doing things and sports. However, it’s not for his personality as he said he’s here to win and fight in the race rather than to make a show out of it. Russell further went on to explain how it was distracting to have all of this just 30 mins prior to the race, a time when the driver should be focusing.

According to Skysports.com, George Russell said, “Everybody has got different personalities, I guess it is the American way of doing things and doing sport. Personally, it is probably not for me but that is just my personal opinion because I am here to race. I am not here for the show, I am here to drive and I am here to win, but I guess we have to roll with it.”

“It is distracting because we were on the grid for half an hour in our overalls in the sun and I don’t think there is any other sport in the world where 30 minutes before you go out to do your business that you are out there in the sun, all the cameras on you, making a bit of a show of it.”

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What do you make of Natalie Pinkman’s comments? Did you like the driver intros?