Not everybody is a fan of the spectacle that is the Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix, and that includes drivers participating in the race.<\/p>\n
Inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix winner Max Verstappen, who also won this past weekend\u2019s race, aired his complaints<\/a> about the flashiness of the event in 2023. Now Argentine driver Franco Colapinto, who races for Alpine, can be added to the list of those who aren\u2019t in favor of the hoopla surrounding F1\u2019s stop in Las Vegas.<\/p>\n Colapinto, who finished 14th out of 20 drivers at the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix, let his frustrations boil over from the track while beginning a post-race interview scrum just as a fireworks display over the Strip started.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t hear you at all,\u201d Colapinto told the interviewer in Spanish after being asked the first question.<\/p>\n The 22-year-old driver\u2019s concern quickly turned to animals that might be affected by the loud fireworks display, taking place just after 10 p.m. Saturday.<\/p>\n \u201cThe animals,\u201d Colapinto said. \u201cIt\u2019s 10 p.m.\u201d<\/p>\n That\u2019s a wrap! The 2025 @F1<\/a> #LasVegasGP<\/a> ends with a bang as fireworks light up the sky in celebration of @Max33Verstappen<\/a>\u2019s big win. \ud83c\udfc1 \u2728 <\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf8: Mick Akers @mickakers<\/a>\/ Las Vegas Review-Journal pic.twitter.com\/tTClKLLQhm<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Las Vegas Review-Journal (@reviewjournal) November 23, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n It is common practice for Southern Nevada officials to send out warnings about keeping animals indoors ahead of the July 4th holiday, when fireworks are lit off around the Las Vegas Valley, which can cause fear and stress to <\/a>animals<\/a>.<\/p>\n After a reporter told Colapinto that no one sleeps in Las Vegas, he questioned if event organizers thought it was a holiday, asking, \u201cDo they think it\u2019s Christmas?\u201d<\/p>\n Colapinto hasn\u2019t had much luck on the track this F1 season, sitting 20th in the driver standings, which is one place out of dead last.<\/p>\n After his concern for animals, Colapinto\u2019s rant then focused on the financials of hosting such an extravagant fireworks display.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you know how much it costs?\u201d Colapinto asked a reporter about the fireworks before uttering an expletive in English.<\/p>\n Colapinto, who made his F1 debut in 2024, could come around to the spectacle surrounding the Las Vegas Grand Prix in future races, especially if he has success on the track.<\/p>\n Verstappen, after his initial 2023 rant about the race, seemed to be enjoying himself Saturday night after winning the event for the second time in three years.<\/p>\n The F1 star was seen donning specially made Lego sunglasses while being driven around by Hollywood personality Terry Crews after the race in a pink Cadillac, also built out of <\/a>Legos<\/a>. Verstappen, a four-time drivers champion, also was seen leaping over a partition into the hands of his Red Bull team, which added to the spectacle of this year\u2019s event.<\/p>\n Verstappen, one of the sport\u2019s biggest stars, said during the post-race news conference that he understands that F1 and event organizers must balance both the sport and show aspects of the race, being that it is in Las Vegas and that\u2019s what attendees expect.<\/p>\n \u201cSome people like more show added. Some people like different kinds of tracks as a fan also,\u201d Verstappen said. \u201cAnd I also have my opinions about what I like. Some weekends I like more than others. I still like to be in Vegas, but I\u2019m personally less of a showman. I\u2019m not really into that. But I get it, it\u2019s part of the calendar. If you\u2019re in Vegas, it needs to be like this. So, I get it, and that\u2019s fine.\u201d<\/p>\n Contact Mick Akers at makers@reviewjournal.com<\/a> or 702-387-2920. Follow @mickakers<\/a> on X. Staff writer Ricardo Torres-Cortez contributed to this report.<\/p>\n \t\t\t