Max Verstappen celebrated his second win at the Miami Grand Prix this weekend at a trendy Greek restaurant with his girlfriend, A-list DJ Martin Garrix, and 11 friends and family.
The group enjoyed craft cocktails and a feast of shared Mediterranean platters at Doya – a Michelin Guide-approved spot in the Wynwood Arts District where the Dutchman is a regular when in town.
The restaurant burst into applause when Verstappen, his girlfriend and Brazilian model, Kelly Piquet, and the rest of his party arrived around 9:30pm on Sunday.
They sat in a semi-enclosed area of the restaurant where onlookers could catch a glimpse of the two-time F1 champion. The group closed the restaurant and stayed well past 1am
In good spirits, Verstappen spoke with the owners of the restaurant, Executive Chef Erhan Kostepen, Jerry Böck and Rob van den Blink and happily posed for a photo with fans.
Max Verstappen and girlfriend Kelly Piquet with Rob van den Blink, one of the owners of Doya
Verstappen with van den Blink, Executive Chef Erhan Kostepen and Jerry Böck in Wynwood
Verstappen is a regular at the Aegean eatery when in Miami to race or just visit
Verstappen, of Oracle Red Bull Racing, celebrated his last Grand Prix victory in Miami on Sunday
Verstappen may have liked his stay in Miami, but several other F1 drivers expressed displeasure at the pomp and circumstance at the sport’s final grand prix race.
George Russell, the director of the Grand Prix Drivers Association, was the first to make the matter public after Sunday’s race.
The Mercedes driver said the drivers met two days before the race and expressed their displeasure with the festivities and distractions around the circuit, which surpassed the normal drive around a circuit as they waved to fans as the traditional pre-race activity .
Russell said it was hot as they waited for LL Cool J to call their name. And the drivers were just seconds away from a 57-lap race in which they prefer to use their time mentally to prepare for twists and turns.
“I think it’s the ‘American way’ of doing things in sports,” said the British driver. “I’m here to race. I’m not here for show, I’m here to win. I don’t think there’s any other sport in the world where 30 minutes before you go out to do your business you sit in the sun, have all the cameras on you and make a bit of a show. I can appreciate that in the entertainment world.’
“We’re open to changes, but I think we wouldn’t want to see it every weekend.”
Several F1 drivers expressed their dismay at the pomp and circumstance at the Miami GP
As the list of grumbling drivers grew after Max Verstappen’s third win of the season, F1 said on Monday that drivers had indeed expressed concerns about the timing of pre-race activities, but agreed to give it a go. A spokesman said F1 would continue discussions with drivers at special pre-race shows, which are expected to be no more than seven events this season and all tailored to the specific race.
F1 promised further talks with the drivers’ union, insisting the only real complaint was “the extra time” it took.
Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes was one of the few drivers to enjoy the activities. He actually started laughing before addressing the issue.
“I think it’s cool that the sport is constantly growing and evolving and not just doing the same things they’ve done in the past,” said Hamilton. “They try new things. They are always trying to improve the show, and I fully support it. I mean gosh I grew up listening to LL Cool J and LL Cool J was there. That was cool.’
One of the few drivers enjoying the pre-race festivities on Sunday was Lewis Hamilton
Haas driver Nico Hülkenberg, back in F1 after three seasons sitting still, said he enjoyed the introductions: “I actually had goosebumps. I quite liked that part.’
The reality is that these are the big events in the United States, where the Super Bowl is almost as much of a spectacle as the NFL’s top game.
Named “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” the Indianapolis 500 features an elaborate pre-race show that includes the Purdue marching band, the singing of “(Back Home Again in) Indiana,” and introductions that differ from any other race.
With two more stops in the US this year (Austin, Texas and Las Vegas), F1 drivers should probably expect the extravagant. The Texas Circuit of the Americas promoter has stepped it up a notch for the past three years with celebrities and Shaquille O’Neal handing over the winning trophy in a custom Cadillac Eldorado Convertible dubbed “The Badillac.”
Expected to be the most expensive for spectators on the 23-race schedule, the Las Vegas race is sure to be filled with Sin City’s showgirls and superstars. F1 is likely to spare no expense in making it the biggest event of decades.