Three-time world champion Max Verstappen has been an outspoken critic of this week’s Las Vegas Grand Prix, voicing his displeasure with everything from the layout of the track to the late start times to the pomp and circumstance around the event.
The Red Bull star was among several who skipped a VIP event at the Wynn Las Vegas on Wednesday night that F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali had asked all drivers to attend. Verstappen had no “interest” following an extravagant opening ceremony held on the start-finish line.
“(It’s) 99 percent show, and one percent sporting event,” Verstappen told reporters. “I just like to always focus on the performance side of things. I don’t like all the things around it, anyway. I know, of course, in some places, they are part of it, but let’s say it’s not in my interest.”
Verstappen, 26, has won a record 17 of the 20 races so far this season and already has wrapped up his third title. He’s the heavy favourite ahead of Saturday night’s race, but he’s not interested in the pre-race festivities.
Wednesday night’s opening ceremony included musical performances from the likes of Kylie Minogue, John Legend and Journey, along with a drone show with lasers and fireworks. The drivers were also elevated by lifts on to stages to greet the crowd.
“For me, you can all skip this,” Verstappen said. “It’s not about the singers. We are just standing up there, looking like a clown.
“I’m looking forward to trying to do the best I can, but I’m not looking forward to (the festivities).”
Verstappen also said the layout of the 3.8-mile street circuit is not “that exciting,” citing the low grip of the heavy F1 cars.
One of Verstappen’s chief rivals, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, has been one of the drivers to embrace the glitz around F1’s return to Las Vegas. The event is the first to be promoted by F1’s owners, Liberty Media.
“I hear there are a lot of people complaining about the direction Stefano and Liberty have been going,” Hamilton said. “I think they have been doing an amazing job.
“It is a big show, for sure. It is never going to be like Silverstone. But maybe over time the people in the community here will grow to love the sport.”
He continued: “It is a business, ultimately. You’ll still see good racing here.”
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc echoed the sentiments of his Mercedes rival, viewing the Las Vegas GP as an opportunity to bring new fans to the sport.
“It’s a lot, but I think if you don’t do that here, you don’t do that anywhere,” Leclerc said, via RacingNews365. “I mean, what’s most important to me is that the DNA of the sport remains the same.
“However, we need to also take opportunities of these kinds of events in such incredible cities, and make something around it that will maybe attract people that are not interested in racing at first, but then once they get to see the cars in real life then they get interested in racing.”
Verstappen understands there is a business side to bringing F1 to Las Vegas, but he’s focusing on adding to his trophy collection.
“They still make money if I like it or not, so it’s not up to me,” Verstappen said. “But I’m also not going to fake it. I just always voice my opinion on positive things and negative things. That’s just how I am.
“Some people like the show a bit more, I don’t like it at all. I grew up just looking at the performance side of things and that’s how I see it as well.
“So for me, I like to be in Vegas, but not so much for racing.”
TORONTO – Reigning PWHL MVP and scoring champ Natalie Spooner will miss the start of the regular season for the Toronto Sceptres, general manager Gina Kingsbury announced Tuesday on the first day of training camp.
The 33-year-old Spooner had knee surgery on her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after she was checked into the boards by Minnesota’s Grace Zumwinkle in Game 3 of their best-of-five semifinal series on May 13.
She had a goal and an assist in three playoff games but did not finish the series. Toronto was up 2-1 in the semifinal at that time and eventually fell 3-2 in the series.
Spooner led the PWHL with 27 points in 24 games. Her 20 goals, including five game-winners, were nine more than the closest skater.
Kingsbury said there is no timeline, as the team wants the Toronto native at 100 per cent, but added that “she is doing really well” in her recovery.
The Sceptres open the PWHL season on Nov. 30 when they host the Boston Fleet.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2024.
LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.
“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”
Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.
The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.
Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.
“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”
Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.
“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”
The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.
“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”
Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.
“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.
Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.
The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.
The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.
Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.
Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
