"Wicked" star Cynthia Erivo rates F1 drivers' singing ahead of the Las Vegas GP

Actor and singer-songwriter Cynthia Erivo, who portrays Elphaba in the popular Wicked film franchise, has made an appearance at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

The award-winning actor was shown clips of both current and former Formula 1 drivers singing from the cockpit of their cars, giving her the opportunity to rank their vocal skills.

Erivo was first shown a clip of McLaren driver Lando Norris enthusiastically singing Friday Dopamine Re-Edit. “Lando, I don’t know what the tune is. The effort is there, but I can’t hear the tune. So I’m going to give you 4/10, for the effort,” she said.

Next up was a clip of two-time champion Fernando Alonso singing We Are the Champions. “You know what, Fernando, I could hear the tunes. I understood what you were singing, and I recognised it immediately. I’m going to give you 5.5/10.”

Four-time champion Sebastian Vettel opted for a rendition of Who Let the Dogs Out, which left Erivo wanting more oomph. “Now, Seb, if we’re going to do that song, we need a little bit more like, oomph! It was very, very gentle. I’m going to have to take a few points away for the gentility there. It’s not a gentle song. We’re going to give you a 3/10. I need more effort.”

Then came the classic clip of Carlos Sainz singing Smooth Operator, which has since become part of the Spanish driver’s brand. “You know what, Carlos? I love the song, but the song was not smooth. However, I do like the song choice. It’s one of my favourites. So I’m going to give you 6/10. I know it’s a crowd favourite.”

The clip of the now-Williams driver was followed by 2009 champion Jenson Button screaming We Are The Champions over his team radio. “You know what, actually, I liked it! I liked it because I can hear the potential for a vibrato in there. And it’s high up in the register. You’re singing it up there. Jenson, you know what, you get a 7/10. That’s the most tuneful I’ve heard so far.”

Max Verstappen was next, singing Viva Las Vegas, impressing the Wicked star. “Max! I’m impressed! You get an 8/10 for that. It’s, you know, appropriate for where we are. It’s right on the tune there. Rhythm is great. Good job, well done.”

Erivo also had the opportunity to go for a hot lap around the Las Vegas Grand Prix street circuit with Button and visit the Williams garage, where she used the moment to sit in the cockpit of Sainz’s car.

Photos from Las Vegas GP – Race