Max Verstappen switched on Elvis Presley-mode after winning the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix. In a conversation with team boss Christian Horner over the team radio after the race concluded, Verstappen crooned a few lines from Elvis Presley’s 1964 classic song ‘Viva Las Vegas,’ and fans couldn’t control themselves from expressing their emotions.
The Red Bull driver took his 18th win of the 2023 Formula 1 season as the sport hit the Strip, popularly known as the entertainment capital of the world. Despite going through plenty of challenges and hiccups, especially in FP1, the sport put up a great wheel-to-wheel racing on a tight but extremely fast street circuit
Verstappen had been extremely critical of the Las Vegas Grand Prix celebrations and off-track entertainment, often ridiculing it for being prioritized over the essence of racing. However, in a plot twist, the Red Bull driver celebrated his latest win over team radio as he sang one of the iconic songs from the “King of Rock and Roll.”
📻 "VIVAAA LAS VEGAS!" @Max33Verstappen takes his 18th win of the season, in true Vegas-style 🏆😂#LasVegasGP #F1 @redbullracing pic.twitter.com/EQYbCCkBmL
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 19, 2023
Verstappen and teammate Sergio Perez donned special race suits for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, drawing inspiration from Elvis, complete with the iconic gold belt. These suits stole the spotlight at the event as both drivers took to the podium, securing P1 and P3 finishes.
Speaking about the race win, the Dutchman revealed “It was a lot of fun out there,” a remark that prompted team principal Christian Horner to admit that Vegas had finally won over Verstappen. He told Sky Sports F1:
“That’s the bit he loves… A race like that, he loved and revelled in a race like that. Even though he was on the end of a penalty and whatever, the way he came back, the way he fought, I think he might have changed his mind about Vegas.”
Witnessing an unexpected act from Verstappen caused fans to react. Some noteworthy reactions are shared below:
There remains no doubt about this.
Viva Las Vegas 🎶
Radio Red Bull is back as Max Verstappen wins the first ever Las Vegas Grand Prix! 📻 pic.twitter.com/3PtBxX2Gl8
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) November 19, 2023