Dr Helmut Marko has offered a critical view of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, describing the event as "not that great."
Speaking to Osterreich, the Red Bull advisor reflected on the spectacle and logistical challenges surrounding the newly added race, which sees F1 cars racing under the lights on the iconic Las Vegas Strip.
"This crazy city, the slot machines that you have to pass on your way through the hotel lobby, the race at night," said Marko. "Last year we were lucky that the race was great, but the event as a whole did not live up to the high expectations."
While Formula 1 has invested heavily in promoting the Las Vegas GP, Marko pointed out significant drawbacks. "The event also does not have much support from the local population," he said. "Almost everything is cordoned off, you have to take long detours everywhere.
"Because of the bad flight connections, we also have to arrive a day earlier," the 81-year-old added.
Looking ahead to the race, Marko admitted that Red Bull's focus is squarely on helping Max Verstappen secure his fourth consecutive drivers' title, potentially as early as this weekend.
"Things are actually not looking too bad for us," he said. "Our car was fast in the dry in Brazil, although Max was in a class of his own in the rain."
"If we win the title again this year, it will be mainly down to Max. With his exceptional driving skills, he has covered up the phases in which the car was really not good."
Asked if Red Bull would have 'world champion t-shirts' prepared for Las Vegas, Marko replied: "Knowing him, Max's manager will definitely have them in his luggage. I'd gladly accept the extra hustle and bustle in Las Vegas for that."
Marko also voiced frustration about the toll of the 24-race calendar, the longest in F1 history.
"You could say that," he said when asked if the demanding schedule is starting to show its effects on him. "This triple-header at the end is particularly crazy."
