P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen has intriguingly been called “a risk” to Formula 1’s big plan to expand in the USA.
The three-time F1 champion, Max Verstappen, has never been a fan of the glitz and glamour that has become associated with race weekends. He initially refused to participate in Netflix’s ‘Drive To Survive’ series, wanting to stay out of the limelight. Even when Brad Pitt and the Lewis Hamilton-produced F1 film came to Silverstone, Verstappen stated that he couldn’t be bothered. In an interview with TIME, Verstappen expressed his lack of desire to hang out with famous movie stars and his disinterest in hearing about others’ perspectives on the season. He emphasized that the actual sport should come first and that it would ultimately determine whether he remains in Formula 1 or not. Red Bull’s Helmut Marko admitted concern about overloading Verstappen with marketing responsibilities, as it is something he doesn’t enjoy. This outlook, combined with Verstappen’s disinterest in the celebrity aspects of F1, has raised concerns about the impact on the sport’s business, despite Verstappen’s immense talent. F1 has been targeting the USA as a market, with significant revenue growth since Liberty Media took over, but Verstappen’s indifference to the celebrity aspect may pose challenges in attracting new fans.
