The Formula One season is coming to a close following an exciting Las Vegas Grand Prix. The final drivers’ leaderboard is starting to take shape as teams prepare for one more race in Abu Dhabi.
Max Verstappen battled off a penalty and a collision with George Russell to win the penultimate race of the season. The Dutchman’s triumph was his 18th of 2023, with Charles Leclerc unable to overcome the Red Bull ace.
It was another disappointing weekend for Mercedes. After key figures from the Silver Arrows spent the fortnight following their terrible Brazilian Grand Prix display complaining about their car, Lewis Hamilton and Russell finished seventh and eighth in Las Vegas.
The result did, however, see Hamilton cement his position in third in the Drivers’ World Championship, meaning he is obliged to attend the FIA gala award ceremony at the end of the year or face a punishment if he skips it again having snubbed the previous two editions. Verstappen, meanwhile, got pulled up by his father Jos for comments he made about the Las Vegas Grand Prix following some intense criticism of the Red Bull driver, which will no doubt somewhat have spoiled his weekend.
Hamilton and Verstappen fire shots at each other
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton seem to be taking jabs at one another regarding how they see the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Verstappen had harsh criticism for the occasion, particularly for the grand opening ceremony where the Red Bull athlete claimed to have felt like a “clown.”
Hamilton, who had a good time over the weekend, has made fun of Verstappen’s philosophy.
“I don’t know how much of a spectacle it was for people to watch, but there was so much overtaking—it was like Baku but better,” the Mercedes ace remarked. I honestly didn’t think the song would be that amazing.
“To all those who were so negative about the weekend, saying ‘it’s all about show, blah, blah, blah,’ I think Vegas proved them wrong,” he continued, perhaps teasing Verstappen.
After being questioned about whether other drivers shared his opinion on the event, Verstappen seemed to retaliate against his rival.
Verstappen remarked, “I think some find it fun to say the opposite of what I say, but some drivers do.”
“I’m not gonna drop names, but yeah…”
Hamilton could face punishment
Lewis Hamilton risks a punishment after securing third-place in the F1 world drivers’ championship leaderboard.
The Briton came seventh in Las Vegas but was able to confirm third behind Red Bull duo Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez in the overall standings.
However, that could put Hamilton at risk of a fine if he does not attend the end-of-season FIA awards evening.
The top three drivers are required by the rulebook to be present at the event. “Drivers finishing first, second, and third in the championship must be present at the annual FIA Prize Giving ceremony,” according to Article 6.6.
After being controversially disqualified from winning the world championship in the year’s final race, Hamilton was fined in 2021 for missing the event. Since he did not place among the top three on the leaderboard that year, he was not present in 2022.
If the Mercedes star doesn’t show up this year, he might have to endure the same punishment as he did two years prior.
Verstappen told off by dad
Max Verstappen’s father has advised his victorious son to express his annoyance in a “neater way” following the Dutchman’s harsh critique of the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
The race winner on Sunday, Max Verstappen, expressed dissatisfaction with the track and was not looking forward to his debut in Sin City.
The 26-year-old added that he felt like “a clown” at the glittering opening ceremony that included a number of A-list stars.
Verstappen, who wasn’t into the glitz, was harsh in his critique of the occasion. However, father Jos thinks it needs to be used in a different way.
“In this instance, I believe he can express himself more succinctly. I told him straight that,” the former Formula One driver Jos told De Telegraaf.
Before the race, Verstappen privately discussed his dissatisfaction with an F1 staff member.
Every now and then, Jos continued, “He needs that too.” With so many people, I also believe that the battery is getting a little low. But as you saw today, Max enjoys racing. I respect his viewpoint, but you can’t just kick everything without thinking.”
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