Why Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen Had Different Views on the British GP LEGO Parade
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton have both raised questions about Formula 1’s decision to feature a LEGO car display at Silverstone before this weekend’s British Grand Prix — and now we know why.
All 22 F1 drivers will get to drive LEGO minicars in a special lap around the track before Sunday’s big race. Each of these cars is built from 28,000 real LEGO bricks and designed in the colors of each team.
A similar parade took place at last year’s Miami Grand Prix, using larger LEGO cars. Hamilton called it “the most fun drivers’ parade we’ve ever had” and even joked about some “dirty driving” when Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and he bumped into each other, sending LEGO pieces flying.
But this time, Hamilton told reporters on Thursday he wasn’t sure if he’d be in a LEGO car and wanted to check with the right people first. However, a Ferrari spokesperson later confirmed he will take part.
Verstappen, on the other hand, said he likes “to play with LEGO at home, with the kids,” and prefers just standing on a truck with everyone. “I think that’s more fun and looks more professional,” he told Viaplay.
The main issue, according to Motorsport.com, is the drivers’ concerns about the growing number of extra activities they have to do during race weekends. Since F1 was taken over by Liberty Media in 2016, these appearances and events have increased as the sport tries to reach new fans around the world.
Hamilton, Verstappen, and Fernando Alonso reportedly want to limit their “marketing days” during the season. The FIA, meanwhile, has been trying to make driver commitments easier while keeping broadcasters happy, according to Autosport.
Most marketing and PR tasks (besides official press events and fan sessions) come from contract rules about how many days drivers must be available. Big stars like Hamilton and Verstappen naturally get more attention and requests.
Verstappen has also spoken out before about some of these duties, like a big pre-race show before the first Las Vegas Grand Prix in 2023. He said he felt like a “clown” and added, “Some people like the show more. I don’t like it at all.”
He explained, “I grew up focusing on performance, and that’s how I see things now. So I like being in Vegas, but not so much for the show.”
Verstappen added, “We’re not the owners, so we just go along with it. If I owned the sport, I wouldn’t listen to the drivers either. It’s my sport, and I’d do what I want.”