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LEWIS HAMILTON has hit out at Max Verstappen’s criticism of the Las Vegas Grand Prix saying the star-studded race was one of the best of the year.Verstappen had blasted the circus around this GP, labelling it “a show” and saying it was “99 per cent entertainment and one per cent race”.
Lewis Hamilton has hailed the Las Vegas GP as one of the best races of the seasonCredit: Splash
Hamilton finished the race in seventhCredit: Reuters
The Red Bull ace had said it was more National League than Champions League and lashed out after the cringeworthy Superbowl-style opening ceremony.
But Hamilton, a long-term supporter of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, said: “I’m really, really happy to have had a positive race and I’m really grateful the race was so good.
“I really wasn’t expecting the track to be so great but the more and more laps you did I just really loved racing it.
“Lots of great overtaking opportunities and I think for all those who were so negative about the weekend, saying it was all about show blah blah blah, I think Vegas proved them wrong.”
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Hamilton said the thrilling race proves that F1 can sustain three races in the US, as Vegas joins Miami and Austin on the calendar.
He added: “There has been criticism about having three races in the United States, and people talking about bringing back old classics from Europe.
“But this has provided a better race than most of the tracks we go to. Hats off to the people who ran the show.
“I cannot wait to come back and hopefully have a better race next year. I am really grateful to Vegas for having us.”
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Verstappen went on to win the race, with Charles Leclerc finishing second and Sergio Perez third.
But it did not go to plan for Hamilton’s fellow Brit Lando Norris, who crashed out on the third lap.
The 24-year-old collided with the barriers at around 180mph before sliding down a straight and coming to a stop at the turn 12 run-off.
He was taken to hospital but later discharged with no significant injuries.
There was chaos even before the race started after two show cars leaked oil on the track, which subsequently left Verstappen furious. More

VIVA Max Vegas!It was the only certainty in the city where luck plays its part as Max Verstappen won the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen won the Las Vegas Grand PrixCredit: Getty
Shaquille O’Neal and David Beckham headlined the star-studded VIP listCredit: Getty
Brad Pitt looked as cool as ever at the circuitCredit: Getty
Justin Bieber waved the chequered flag for VerstappenCredit: Reuters
Veronika Rajek made quite the impression in her sparkling pink outfitCredit: Getty
Rihanna was one of the biggest names enjoying the event as a Ferrari guestCredit: Getty
Paris Hilton could not hide her smile as she walked down the pit laneCredit: AFP
Dressed in an all-white Elvis Presley-style race suite, the world champion belted out a rendition of the singer’s hit about this gambling mecca.
It was his 18th win of the season but this time he was made to fight for it after picking up a five-second penalty on the first lap.
He had a running battle with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who started on pole and eventually came home in second place after pipping Sergio Perez on the final lap.
The Mexican choked on the final lap for the second successive race as he was unable to hold on.
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Verstappen, who had blasted this race as “99 per cent entertainment” said: “It was a tough one.
“I tried to go for it at the start. I just ran out of grip, so ended up a bit wide.
“The stewards gave me a penalty for that and it put us on the backfoot.
“I had to pass quite a few cars and there was the Safety Car, so at that point there was a lot going on… Definitely a lot of fun.”
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Leclerc added: “What a race! I enjoyed it so much. I’m of course disappointed to only finish second, but that’s the best we could do.
“At the start Max on the inside lost a little bit of the grip and brought me onto the outside [of the track] but we had good pace, we passed him back, and we were really strong overall. So that was a really good race.
“The weekend didn’t start the way it had to start but I am so happy it ended that way.
“It’s such an incredible sport and I today is no better race than for the first race in Vegas. The energy around the city is incredible and I at least really enjoyed today.”
Verstappen’s win means Red Bull have set a new record for the most wins in a season by a team – surpassing Mercedes’ 19 victories from 2016.
The Dutchman has now equalled Sebastian Vettel on 53 career wins, the joint-third most on the all-time winners’ list.
Verstappen celebrates alongside Sergio Perez and Charles LeclercCredit: Getty
The race took place on the famous Las Vegas stripCredit: Splash
It was a disappointing race for Lewis HamiltonCredit: EPA
Lando Norris crashed out of the raceCredit: Rex
It was victory No18 in a remarkable season for VerstappenCredit: Getty
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell had eventful races as Mercedes’ hopes of a return to form were ended.
Boss Toto Wolff is under more pressure to turn the team around after a miserable two years.
Hamilton, who had come into this weekend saying the team had learned their lessons from the Brazilian GP, was only good enough for seventh after picking up a puncture in a tangle with Oscar Piastri.
And Russell came home in eighth place but only after serving a five-second penalty for banging into Verstappen.
Lando Norris crashed out on the third lap after inexplicably losing control of his McLaren at high speed.
Norris climbed from his McLaren but was taken to the medical centre for checks before being sent to the local hospital.
Gordon Ramsay attended with his daughter Holly AnnaCredit: Getty
Cara Delevingne opted for a green numberCredit: Getty
Kylie Minogue posed alongside Verstappen’s Red Bull carCredit: Getty
Amanda Sorensen was a guest at the Sports Illustrated Club SICredit: Getty
Camille Kostek opted for a black leather outfitCredit: Getty
Usain Bolt took in the sights and sounds of the Vegas GPCredit: AFP
Zlatan Ibrahimovic made an appearance at the raceCredit: Getty
MMA star Aljamain Sterling looked brilliant in a floral shirt and pastel pink suitCredit: Getty
Nastya Swan rocked a pink dressCredit: Getty
Rachael Kirkconnell looked glamorous in a skirt and high bootsCredit: Getty
Colin Kaepernick kept himself warm amid the low temperaturesCredit: Getty
Fifa president Gianni Infantino was in the houseCredit: Getty More

MERCEDES boss Toto Wolff fiercely defended organisers of the Las Vegas Grand Prix with a passionate rant following Thursday’s cancelled practice session.FP1 lasted just eight minutes before it was brought to a halt after Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz hit a loose manhole cover.
Toto Wolff, second from left, raged at critics of the Las Vegas Grand PrixCredit: Sky Sports
He could not believe people were labelling the FP1 incident a ‘black eye for the sport’Credit: Sky Sports
The track issue has led to criticism of the event – the inaugural Las Vegas race.
However, Wolff was quick to reject that way of thinking after one reporter suggested the incident was a “black eye” for the sport.
The Mercedes chief said: “That is not a black eye. This is nothing.
“We are Thursday night, we have a free practice session one that we are not doing. We are going to seal the drain covers and no one is going to talk about that tomorrow morning.”
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When pressed further on his comments, he added: “It’s completely ridiculous. How can you even dare try to talk bad about an event that sets the new standards to everything.
“Then you are speaking about a f***ing drain cover that has been undone – that has happened before – that’s nothing. It’s FP1.
“Give credit to the people that have set up this Grand Prix, that have made this sport much bigger than it ever was.”
Talking directly to a journalist, he continued: “Have you ever spoken good about someone and written a good word? You should about all these people that have been out here.
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“Liberty [F1’s owners Liberty Media] has done an awesome job and just because in FP1 a drain cover has come undone we shouldn’t be moaning.
“The car [Sainz’s Ferrari] is broken, that’s really a shame. For Carlos it could have been dangerous. So between the FIA, the track, everybody needs to analyse how we can make sure this is not happening again.
“But talking here about the black eye for the sport on a Thursday evening… nobody watches it at European time anyway. Come on.”
The second practice session was delayed, but the drivers eventually got out on track as Charles Leclerc topped the leaderboard.
Wolff’s Mercedes drivers, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, posted the ninth and 12th best times.
It comes off the back of a nightmare weekend in Brazil for the Silver Arrows as Hamilton finished eighth and Russell failed to finish. More

LEWIS HAMILTON opted for a bold outfit as he hit the red carpet ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix.And fans have been quick to compare his out-there fashion choice to something you would see in the Matrix movies.
Lewis Hamilton sported a bold outfit on the red carpet in Las VegasCredit: Getty
Fans likened his look to something out of the Matrix moviesCredit: Getty
Neo sported a similar all-black look in the 1999 filmCredit: Rex Features
Hamilton sported an all-black outfit with a long trenchcoat, sunglasses, dark trousers and some chunky boots.
Formula One fans have grown used to the Mercedes driver’s extravagant fashion statements, but were still blown away by his latest look .
Some compared it to the outfit worn by Neo in the Matrix films who was played by Keanu Reeves.
One fan wrote: “Bro just spawned into The Matrix.”
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While another added: “Bit of a Matrix vibe going on…love it!!”
Sunday’s GP will be the first F1 face in Vegas since 1982 and is bound to be filled with drama alongside the glitz and the glamour.
For Hamilton it is about chasing down second place in the drivers standings with Sergio Perez currently occupying the space.
A World Championship was wiped off the table weeks ago when Max Verstappen secured his third consecutive title in Qatar.
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It will be extremely difficult for Hamilton to catch up with the Mexican though, with Perez winning twice already this season and making the podium eight times.
The Brit on the other hand is yet to win a race and has only managed to get on the podium on six occasions.
The race itself could be chaos with track temperatures set to be around five degrees, far from optimal for F1 tyres which thrive in warmer conditions.
Hamilton has built a reputation for his interesting fashion choicesCredit: Splash
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MAX VERSTAPPEN beat Lewis Hamilton to the 2021 Formula One title thanks to CRAMP, Christian Horner has revealed.Hamilton and Verstappen went wheel to wheel throughout the dramatic 2021 season, coming to a head with the finale in Abu Dhabi.
Christian Horner appeared on Sky’s A League of Their OwnCredit: Sky Sports
Horner spoke on the controversial ending to the 2021 F1 seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Horner said Mercedes had ‘f***ed’ up by leaving Hamilton on older tyresCredit: Rex
Horner revealed that Verstappen was dealing with cramp before his overtakeCredit: PA
There had been a number of heated clashes throughout the season, but the controversial handling of a safety car restart at the end of the race allowed Verstappen to overtake Hamilton on the final lap.
The stunning conclusion to the season remains a bitter debate among fans, with Hamilton himself suggesting the title had been “manipulated”.
And while appearing on a Sky’s A League of Their Own, Red Bull team principal Horner was asked about the event.
Having just come off a chorus of boos, Horner asked whether there was a Dutch version of the show before jokingly saying he had no idea why it was controversial.
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Horner then explained that a poor strategy by Mercedes was partly to blame.
He said: “I mean Mercedes f***ed up. They left poor Lewis out there on tyres that had done pretty much most of the race and we pitted with Max so he was on a fresh set of tyres.
“Max made the move and the interesting thing was where Max passed him it caught Lewis completely by surprise.”
Horner, 49, then revealed how the Dutch driver was actually dealing with cramp at that point of the race.
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He added: “After the race what Max told us was that he didn’t intend to overtake there but he got cramp behind the safety car and he couldn’t feel his left foot properly.
“So he thought ‘Oh f*** it i’m going anyway’. And then when they were going down the straight he was trying to wake his left foot up to hit the brakes for the next chicane.”
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff was also famously angry at the stunning turn of events, blasting race director Michael Masi down the radio over the race.
Asked why the Austrian was so angry, he said, Horner said: “I think he was just having a bad hair day.
“His hair is very important to him on the camera and I think he was just having a bad day.”
While on the show, Horner lifted the lid on the team’s party afterwards.
Red Bull partied on a £20million yacht following the race, with Horner revealing Verstappen was “wasted” during the party.
He also explained why he had been locked out of his house at Christmas.
The Red Bull boss is estimated to have a net worth of £41.4m and is married to Spice Girls member Geri Halliwell.
The aftermath of the season saw motorsport chiefs conduct an investigation that concluded “human error” played a hand in Verstappen landing his first F1 title.
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Masi left the FIA after being axed as race director and opened up on the mental turmoil the backlash had caused him earlier this year.
A League of Their Own airs on Sky Max and NOW, Wednesday’s at 9pm.
Verstappen overtook Hamilton on the final lapCredit: Getty
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LEWIS HAMILTON and the Mercedes team have been hit with a BAN from their boss ahead of Formula One’s Las Vegas Grand Prix.F1 is racing on the famous Vegas strip for the first time in its history, though the sport has previously raced in the city in the Ceasar’s Palace car park in 1981 and 1982.
Lewis Hamilton has been issued with a ban while in Las VegasCredit: Rex
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has laid down the law ahead of the raceCredit: Getty
It has cost F1 owners Liberty Media roughly $500million, or £400m, to put on the event.
But Hamilton and Co will not be allowed to enjoy the full offerings of Sin City.
That is because Mercedes F1 chief Toto Wolff has issued a gambling ban on the team.
Speaking to Motorsport.com, Wolff said: “I’ve never been to Las Vegas, but we’ll do everything we can to make sure everyone on the team stays away from the casinos.
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“I don’t bet and I’ll make sure no one else bets either.”
The Nevada-based city is known around the globe for its casinos and 24-hour entertainment, with 122 gambling and betting venues.
The Austrian explained the team could get easily distracted due to not knowing the layout of the paddock, city and traffic routes to get to the circuit.
Wolff said: “We don’t know how to get from the hotel to the circuit and vice versa, but I am sure that we will find a solution. I can’t wait for the race to start.”
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He added: “I think everyone is looking forward to the Las Vegas race.
“Running in this city is comparable to climbing Everest, hats off to Liberty Media for organizing this race.
“I don’t think I’m the only one in Formula 1 who’s never been to this city, which is quite difficult to navigate.”
Hamilton, 38, revealed he has quit another Sin City vice in booze to try and get back to winning races.
Wolff has been linked with a sensational investment into Manchester United along with Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who owns Mercedes F1 sponsor Ineos.
F1 owners, Liberty Media, have apologised to the local residents of Las Vegas about the chaos the race has created in terms of construction, traffic and impact on the tourism industry.
CEO Greg Maffei said: “I want to apologise to all the Las Vegas residents and we appreciate that they have their forbearance and their willingness to tolerate us.
The layout of the Las Vegas Grand Prix
“We’re going to bring something like $1.7 billion of revenue to the area. So it’s not just for the benefit of fans who want to view.
“We hope this is a great economic benefit in Las Vegas.
“We hope this is the most difficult year with all the construction that went on and things will be easier in the future.”
There are serious concerns the race will fail to live up to the hype with reports suggesting there are up to 10,000 tickets which have not been sold in the grandstand.
Ticket sales too have been slow with many reluctant to spend the ridiculous sums being suggested.
CNN reported that ticket website TickPick had seen prices slashed, although the average price for Saturday’s race is still an eye-watering $1,060, roughly £800, for grandstand seats.
The race is on Saturday at 10pm local time and 6am in the UK.
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There have been mixed reactions to the race from drivers as well, with world champion Max Verstappen suggesting there could be some surprises.
Meanwhile, the race itself could be chaos with track temperatures set to be around five degrees, far from optimal for F1 tyres which thrive in warmer conditions.
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