Max Verstappen, amidst the glitz and glamour of Formula 1, maintains his love for the sport’s essence, even as the showy elements grow. His 2023 season was a display of sheer dominance, securing his third consecutive driver’s title with an ease that belied the intense competition of F1. Yet, in the neon-lit nights of Las Vegas, a different side of Verstappen emerged, one that showed his increasing disapproval of the increasing ‘showbiz’ elements in the sport.
The 26-year-old Dutchman, known for his skill and bravery on traditional tracks, expressed his discontent with street circuits, longing instead for the classic venues of racing lore. As reported by Kronen Zeitung, Verstappen said, “Personally, I’d ideally like to race on all the great tracks in the world. But unfortunately that is not possible in Formula 1 – and I understand that too.”
His real issue lies with the escalating artificiality of events like Las Vegas. “A little bit of show is important,” Verstappen admits, highlighting his desire for genuine emotion over manufactured spectacle. “But I love emotions. When I was a little kid, it was the emotions that made me fall in love with sport, not the show around them. For a real racer, the show shouldn’t matter.”
Post Las Vegas, his father, Jos Verstappen, advised him to moderate his views. Max acknowledges the need for fan entertainment but stresses the importance of preserving the sport’s authenticity. He notes, “I understand that the fans also need to be entertained. But it’s also important that we show them what our sport really is about. Because so many people are only coming now because they want to have a party or see a DJ.”
Despite his reservations, Verstappen concedes he’s willing to tolerate the current balance between sport and spectacle, with a smile saying, “At the moment I’m still happy, let’s put it that way.”
