Max Verstappen’s “99% Show” Jibe on Las Vegas GP Meets Sharp Retort as Will Buxton Defends Mega F1 Project

In the glittering lights of Las Vegas, Max Verstappen took more than just a victory lap. He also fired multiple shots at Formula 1’s spectacle-driven approach. The Dutch world champion branded the event as “99% show, 1% sporting event”. However, his views sparked a clash of opinions in the Formula 1 community. Long-time F1 presenter and reporter, Will Buxton, shared his perspective on what he deemed as a “brilliant” sporting event.

As the weekend unfolded in the entertainment capital of the world, Verstappen’s discontent with the Las Vegas GP‘s focus on spectacle rather than pure racing became increasingly evident. The street circuit scorned as “National League” in comparison to the “Champions League” quality of Monaco, faced the brunt of his displeasure. Even after securing victory in a thrilling three-way battle, the Dutchman remained defiant. He emphasized his preference for the classic F1 circuits.

Will Buxton snubs the Dutchman’s view on the Las Vegas GP after a brilliant race under the lights

The Las Vegas GP witnessed Max Verstappen’s dominance in a thrilling three-way battle. He secured victory over Ferrari‘s Charles Leclerc and his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez after passing them both during the closing stages of the race. Despite the Dutchman’s constant barrage, the race turned out to be a spectacle.

Just minutes after the race concluded, Will Buxton shared his perspective on the inaugural Las Vegas event. When asked about Max Verstappen’s grumpiness towards the race, Will said, “[He was] So grumpy, 99% show, 1% sports. I think we can say it’s a 100% show and 100% sports. A 100% entertainment in the entertainment capital of the world and even Max was forced to admit after the race. I can’t wait, I am so excited to come back to Vegas next year because we got this incredible race. It wasn’t just handed to him on a plate, he had to fight for it.”

“We got multiple changes of lead, we got amazing overtakes [over] the length and breadth of the field. Could it be a recency bias? The race literally ended 90 minutes ago, and I am a little bit loopy with the lack of sleep. I made the mistake of going onto social media and people going, ‘That was dull’. If that’s dull, give me a dull race every single week because I will sign up to that level of boredom because it was brilliant,” he concluded.

As the Red Bull driver’s dissatisfaction lingered, Buxton’s commentary invited fans to appreciate the unique blend of sports and entertainment that the Las Vegas Grand Prix delivered. The F1 analyst’s perspective sought to redirect the narrative, focusing on the excitement and unpredictability that unfolded on the neon-lit track.

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Even Lewis Hamilton added his voice to the ongoing debate on the Las Vegas event.

Lewis Hamilton shuts down Max Verstappen and Las Vegas GP naysayers

The 6-time Mercedes world champion not only celebrated the success of the Las Vegas Grand Prix but also addressed the naysayers who doubted the event’s merit. The 38-year-old Brit, in his characteristic fashion, acknowledged the race as one of the season’s best, a sentiment shared by many in the F1 community.

“For all those who said it was all about the show, Vegas proved them wrong,” Hamilton was quoted by The Guardian, taking a direct swipe at Verstappen’s earlier comments. The British driver emphasized the quality of the race, praising the abundance of passing, multiple lead changes, and gripping action across the field. “The race was great. It was one of the best races. There have been so many people who have been negative about the show and all that – but just let it be, see how it goes and it was huge.”

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So, what are your thoughts on Max Verstappen’s criticism of the Las Vegas Grand Prix? Do you agree with Will Buxton and Lewis Hamilton, or do you think Verstappen has a point? Share your opinions in the comments below.