Verstappen in blunt Las Vegas assessment: 'We are there for the show'

Max Verstappen believes Formula 1 is only heading to Las Vegas "for the show" and not because of any sporting reason.

F1 is preparing for the race down the strip next weekend, which is due to become the first Saturday race since 1985 with a start time of 22:00 local in Nevada.

It is the first time F1 will have raced in Vegas since 1983, when the car park of Caesars Palace was used for the second and final time - but for the return, a purpose-built paddock has been constructed with F1 putting roots down in the city.

But Verstappen is not overly excited by the prospect.

Verstappen cool on Vegas

"First of all, we are there more for the show than the race itself, looking at the layout of the circuit," Verstappen told media including RacingNews365.

"I'm not actually that much into that, I'm more: 'I'll go there, do my thing and be gone'.

"I'll deal with that once I arrive to the track. I mean, there's still a lot to do.

"I still need to go on the simulator. I still don't even know the track, to be honest, the last time I tried it on the F1 game, I think I hit more walls than I was going straight, so, let’s hope that’s not the case when I start driving there.

"It's going to be very different to [Brazil], very low temperatures, and of course at night.

"We have no experience there. We don't know the track grip, it is all new, so maybe it will give a few surprises.

"It depends for whom and for what," he added when asked if the race would bring value to F1.

"In terms of racing spectacle, maybe not, but maybe in terms of potential partners for F1, and the whole show around it - but again, I'm not into it."