Lewis Hamilton hails Las Vegas Grand Prix and says it proved critics like Max Verstappen WRONG...

Lewis Hamilton took yet another shot at rival Max Verstappen by claiming the Las Vegas Grand Prix proved all of its critics – with the Red Bull driver top of the pile – wrong after a thrilling race.

The 50-lap spectacular in Sin City delivered far more than just the gaggle of celebrities on track, with Verstappen coming out on top for his 18th win of the 2023 season.

Verstappen had likened the race in Vegas to the fifth tier of English football – the National League – on Saturday, but by the chequered flag he was singing along to Elvis Presley with a smile on his face.

‘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,’ Hamilton told Sky F1.

Even Red Bull team principal Christian Horner had to concede Verstappen’s cynicism of the race weekend ended up misplaced.

‘I thought it was a great race. Exciting. You’ve got long straights, big braking zones and no grip, so tricky for the drivers,’ Horner said.

‘I thought it delivered a great Grand Prix and the speeds around here are insane.

‘[Verstappen] loves a race like that. Even though he was on the end of a penalty. When he came back…the way he fought. I think he changed his mind about Vegas!’

While Hamilton wasn’t able to fight in contention at the front – a puncture collected in a collision with the McLaren of Oscar Piastri put paid to much competition up top – he has been a vocal supporter of the latest race to be added to the calendar by owners Liberty Media.

The row over Vegas’ addition to the calendar ignited after Wednesday’s opening ceremony, with Hamilton and Verstappen at odds.

Moments after a fireworks display brought the curtain down on the glittering welcome party, Verstappen, crowned triple world champion in Qatar last month, was quick to pour scorn on the event.

‘It is 99 per cent show and one per cent sporting e

vent,’ said the 26-year-old. ‘I was just standing up there, looking like a clown.

‘I guess they (F1) still make money whether I like it or not. So it’s not up to me. But I’m not going to fake it.

‘I voice my opinion on positive things and negative things. That’s just how I am. And you know, some people like the show a bit more. I don’t like it at all.