Red Bull drivers to don Elvis Presley-inspired race suits for the Las Vegas Grand Prix… even though furious star driver Max Verstappen called the race ‘99% show, 1% sporting event’

The glitz and glamor of Las Vegas won’t just be seen in the lights on the strip or the wealthy clientele in the stands; at least two of the drivers will also participate in the theme.

Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez will race under the lights at the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Saturday evening in specially designed racing suits that mimic the style of the ‘King of Rock and Roll’ Elvis Presley.

Checo will be dressed in red, while Verstappen will wear a white suit (capes not included).

“As we prepare for the first-ever Grand Prix in Las Vegas, it is only fitting that we pay tribute to Las Vegas’ most prolific icon, Elvis Presley,” said Red Bull team principal Christian Horner.

“Elvis has left his mark on Vegas and the world and has become synonymous with the glitz, flash and energy of the strip, something we hope to replicate when we hit the track Saturday night.”

After the race, these suits will be on display at Elvis’s mansion – Graceland in Tennessee

After the Grand Prix, the suits will be transported to Elvis Presley’s mansion – Graceland, in Memphis, Tennessee – where they will be put on display.

It’s just another addition to the spectacle of this Grand Prix, which is being hyped by almost everyone in the paddock.

But for some drivers, the hype this race brings is out of proportion to the product on the track.

FP1 was called off after just a few minutes when a manhole cover popped up and destroyed the underside of Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari.

FP2 was watched without fans in the stands after being kicked out due to the delay in the start after the track was inspected.

It led to Verstappen – who already has the World Drivers’ Championship to his name – being critical of the Grand Prix, calling it ’99 percent show and one percent sporting event’.

“I understand that fans might just as well have something to do around a circuit, but I think it’s more important that you make them understand what we do as a sport,” Verstappen said.

‘Most of them just come to party, have a drink, see a DJ performance or a performance – I mean I can do that all over the world, I can go to Ibiza and be completely in the getting confused, you know. ?’

Max Verstappen was critical of the race, calling it ’99 percent show, 1 percent sport’

Red Bull team boss defended his driver and said he ‘hates all the pomp and circumstance***’

He added: “I think if you really put more time into the sport itself and what we’re actually trying to achieve here. ‘Because we as drivers grew up from small children to become world champions.

‘If the sport would pay more attention to things like this and also what a team does, what they achieve and what they work for, then these things are much more important to watch than all these random shows. everywhere.’

“It’s not what I’m passionate about. I love Vegas, but not driving an F1 car. I like going out, having a few drinks, putting everything on red, being crazy, eating good food.

“But like I said, the emotion and passion aren’t there compared to old-school tracks.”

Horner defended his driver’s comments, saying: ‘What you have to understand is that Max is a driver.

‘He hates all the pomp and circumstance*** that comes with being a Formula 1 driver. He just wants to drive. He doesn’t crave fame or admiration or anything like that. And I think he’s a little bit uncomfortable with, if you like, the showbiz element that’s being introduced into this race.”