Max Verstappen celebrated in Las Vegas last year. © APA / JARED C. TILTON

After Verstappen win: Las Vegas plans mega party

Formula 1 star Max Verstappen will probably have to prepare for a super special show if he wins the title in Las Vegas.

19 November 2024

From: dpa/fop

There is a good chance that the 27-year-old Dutchman will win the Formula 1 World Championship early around midnight on Saturday local time in the gambling metropolis, thus becoming one of the five most successful drivers in the history of the premier class of motorsport.

The simplest calculation: Verstappen in the Red Bull will finish ahead of his World Championship rival Lando Norris from McLaren. The race starts on Sunday morning at 7.00:XNUMX a.m. Central European Time.

Max Verstappen can bag the world championship title this weekend. © APA / MARK THOMPSON

"We don't want to give anything away yet, but we are of course preparing for all eventualities so that we are ready to celebrate as only Las Vegas can," said the commercial director of Formula 1 and the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Emily Prazer, to the German Press Agency. For the organizers of the premier class, who are responsible for promoting the Grand Prix in the Nevada desert, the constellation is a dream scenario.

Verstappen's on the show: Zero interest

Just last year, Vegas celebrated the return of Formula 1 with a big show and lots of fanfare, but also a few setbacks, such as a loose manhole cover that messed up the training schedule, much to the chagrin of spectators. This time, the horsepower show is set to be perfect.

The Grand Prix in the US state of Nevada becomes a big show every year. © APA / CHRIS GRAYTHEN

"Whatever happens, we are confident that fans will experience an incredible spectacle on the Las Vegas Strip Circuit," stressed Prazer, who expects the race to be sold out. "Interest was already high in the second year, but with the possibility of Max winning the World Championship in Las Vegas, it has increased even further."

Verstappen himself, however, is not a fan of too much spectacle outside of the racing car. After the opening ceremony last year, he said that he had zero interest in the combination of "99 percent show, 1 percent sporting event": "I always just want to focus on the performance. I don't like all this stuff."