Max Verstappen found himself praising the quality of the racing during the Las Vegas Grand Prix having previously stated his lack of enthusiasm towards the track layout. Charles Leclerc – who finished the race in P2 – was left apologising to the Tifosi after failing to convert another pole position to victory.
The reigning world champion has been extremely critical of almost every element of the Las Vegas GP since arriving in Nevada earlier this week, but his feelings had shifted somewhat after the chequered flag.
After the second practice session of the weekend, he was asked about his thoughts on the track layout, and he replied: “No, no. I’ve had better tracks in my life. I said that yesterday. There is nothing new that I’ve discovered. We just get on with it.”
However, after delivering a record-breaking 18th Grand Prix win of the season, Verstappen was in higher spirits and even expressed his delight over the quality of the wheel-to-wheel action in Sin City.
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Discussing the on-track action after the race, he said: “The DRS around here was very powerful. Even when you would take the lead if the guy behind stays in the DRS, he would still have the opportunity to come back to you, so it created a lot of good racing today. Definitely a lot of fun.”
The three-time world champion was then asked about the fans, replying: “Great crowd. I hope everyone enjoyed it. We definitely did, so already excited to come back here next year and hopefully try to do something similar.”
There was a more mixed feeling on the second step of the podium as Leclerc managed to steal P2 back from Perez on the final lap of the race. Despite this success, the Ferrari driver was disappointed not to have converted pole position to victory.
Leclerc was asked to give a message to the fans after the race, stating: “Yeah well I’m sorry about the second place, I gave it all but on the other hand I’m sure that everybody had an amazing time, looking at the race.
“I really, really enjoyed it and we should have more races like that where the racing is like that because it was really enjoyable.”
That result has moved Leclerc within seven points of sixth-placed Lando Norris in the Drivers’ Championship standings, while Ferrari now trail Mercedes by just four points in the Constructors’ Championship.
