Lewis Hamilton hails Las Vegas Grand Prix and says it proved critics like Max Verstappen WRONG… and even Christian Horner concedes Sin City spectacle won the Dutchman over!

RACE REPORT: Max Verstappen chalks up his 18th win of the season in Las Vegas
Verstappen even ended up singing Elvis as he crossed the finish line in Sin City
Lewis Hamilton felt it was a special race in proving all of its doubters wrong

Lewis Hamilton took yet another shot at rival Max Verstappen by claiming the Las Vegas Grand Prix proved all of its critics – with the Red Bull driver top of the pile – wrong after a thrilling race.

The 50-lap spectacular in Sin City delivered far more than just the gaggle of celebrities on track, with Verstappen coming out on top for his 18th win of the 2023 season.

Verstappen had likened the race in Vegas to the fifth tier of English football – the National League – on Saturday, but by the chequered flag he was singing along to Elvis Presley with a smile on his face.

‘Lots of great overtaking opportunities and I think for all those who were so negative about the weekend, saying it was all about show blah blah blah, I think Vegas proved them wrong,’ Hamilton told Sky F1.

Even Red Bull team principal Christian Horner had to concede Verstappen’s cynicism of the race weekend ended up misplaced.

Lewis Hamilton (left) feels the Las Vegas GP proved Max Verstappen (right) and others wrong

The famous Las Vegas strip had been turned into a £400million race track for the event

‘I thought it was a great race. Exciting. You’ve got long straights, big braking zones and no grip, so tricky for the drivers,’ Horner said.

‘I thought it delivered a great Grand Prix and the speeds around here are insane.

‘[Verstappen] loves a race like that. Even though he was on the end of a penalty. When he came back…the way he fought. I think he changed his mind about Vegas!’

While Hamilton wasn’t able to fight in contention at the front – a puncture collected in a collision with the McLaren of Oscar Piastri put paid to much competition up top – he has been a vocal supporter of the latest race to be added to the calendar by owners Liberty Media.

The row over Vegas’ addition to the calendar ignited after Wednesday’s opening ceremony, with Hamilton and Verstappen at odds.

Moments after a fireworks display brought the curtain down on the glittering welcome party, Verstappen, crowned triple world champion in Qatar last month, was quick to pour scorn on the event.

‘It is 99 per cent show and one per cent sporting event,’ said the 26-year-old. ‘I was just standing up there, looking like a clown.

‘I guess they (F1) still make money whether I like it or not. So it’s not up to me. But I’m not going to fake it.

‘I voice my opinion on positive things and negative things. That’s just how I am. And you know, some people like the show a bit more. I don’t like it at all.

Las Vegas provided an iconic backdrop for the first Sin City Formula One race since 1982

Verstappen was not grumbling at the end as he celebrated victory in his Elvis-inspired race suit

‘I grew up just looking at the performance side of things. And that’s how I see it as well. I like to be in Vegas, but not so much for racing.’

But come the chequered flag in the early hours of Sunday after a thrilling 50-lap race, any critics had been won over.

‘I wouldn’t change a lot,’ Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said.

‘I would change qualifying maybe from midnight to 10pm, like the race start. So you can still have the roads open long at Vegas and have dinner for the fans.

‘Other than that, it was a perfect event.’

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