Miami GP: George Russell and others hit out at organisers, F1 drivers not happy with "distracting" pre-race ceremony in Miami

Miami GP: Formula 1: The much-anticipated Miami GP culminated as Max Verstappen came home to take the chequered flag closely followed by teammate Checo Perez. As expected, the second edition of Miami GP was a star-studded event complimented with a range of pre and post-race shenanigans. The popularity of his high-octane sport has skyrocketed in US in the past few years. A huge contribution in that is the induction of new races on the calendar mapping popular US venues. Follow InsideSport on GOOGLE NEWS / Follow Formula 1 Updates with InsideSport.IN.

Another thing that is guaranteed at USA venues is the attendance of celebrities in a bunch. This year’s Miami GP saw the presence of greats across folds. Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk, two richest men in the world were in attendance at Miami. Apart from them, tennis legend Roger Federer, and two-time super bowl winning quarterback Patrick Mahomes were also present at the venue. To ooze out some star fame, actors Tom Cruise and Vin Diesel were also seen around the paddock.

Tom Cruise is part of Mercedes' pit crew for the Miami Grand Prix 💪

(via @GQSports)pic.twitter.com/GJ7H0yB8mT
— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) May 7, 2023

However, amidst rising popularity, the organizers are also including high-voltage events involving the drivers to put up a show for the fans. However, the drivers’ are not too happy with this packed weekend and certain events right ahead of race. On Sunday, right before the main race, American rapper LL Cool J presented each driver to the fans as if they were prizefighters. Rapper and producer will.i.am supplemented it by conducting an orchestra of violin players who set the stage for the introductions.

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Ll Cool J introducing Lewis at the Miami GP 🙌

“He’s the most successful driver in the history of the sport. He’s a 7-time World Champion. He’s a game changer and a change maker. He’s royalty, Sir Lewis Hamilton!”#MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/vZm1XG5pmg
— Sir Lewis Updates (@LH44updates) May 7, 2023

George Russell and other Formula 1 drivers not too happy with these events

The drivers know well that this sport and its newly gained reach have made it as much a fan business as an on-track affair. The organizers plan and conduct a range of events for the fans to attend when in and around the paddock. For the above-mentioned introduction, drivers were summoned almost 25 minutes before the start of the main race in their racing overalls. Usually, the drivers are expected 15 minutes before the race start. This led to disappointment and criticism from many drivers.

F1 Drivers’ Association director and Mercedes driver George Russell voiced his criticism. Russell labeled events as a distraction for the drivers.

“I’m here to race. I am not here for the show. I’m here to drive and I’m here to win. It is distracting, because we’re on the grid for half an hour in all of our overalls in the sun. I don’t think there’s any other sports in the world that 30 minutes before you go out to do your business, you’re out there in the sun, all the cameras on you and making a bit of a show of it,” said Russell.

“I can appreciate that in the entertainment world. But as I said, we only want the best for the sport. We’re open to changes. But I guess we wouldn’t want to see it every weekend,” added the Briton.

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