Jul.3 (GMM) Not every Formula 1 driver is looking forward to Sunday’s Lego-themed drivers’ parade at Silverstone.
After the success of last year’s two-seater Lego cars in Miami, Formula 1 has gone a step further by giving each driver an individual Lego mini-kart for the British GP parade.
But Max Verstappen is not among the fans.
“I just want to be done with it as soon as possible,” the Red Bull driver said. “I’ll wave to the fans, because they deserve it.
“If it were up to me, there would just be a normal drivers’ parade. What’s wrong with an electric truck just driving us around the circuit?”
He added: “I’m fine with that, but I have no influence on it.”
Lewis Hamilton went even further, suggesting he may skip the parade altogether.
“It’s the most dangerous part of the weekend,” the Ferrari driver said.
“I let Charles drive last time and it was just hilarious watching everyone crashing into each other. So yeah, I don’t know whether or not I’ll be in the Lego car this year.”
Asked if he was genuinely concerned about injury, Hamilton replied: “There’s not really much to say on the car thing.
“That’s something I need to take offline.”
Verstappen suggested Formula 1 has more pressing priorities than Lego cars, pointing again to his criticism of the 2026 regulations.
A week ago he revealed he “burst out laughing” after driving Silverstone layout in the simulator because of the severe energy management required.
“No, not at all,” he said when asked if the recent rule tweaks had improved the situation. “We are very far from that, especially on this circuit.
“Even in Austria, we didn’t use our natural driving style in the corners. Next year that will get a little bit better, but with what we have now, we really have to adapt to that as drivers.”
“I have of course been in contact with Formula 1 and the FIA. Everyone is doing their best.”
Charles Leclerc agreed that iconic circuits could lose some of their appeal under the new rules.
“I think most drivers are a bit sad about it,” he said. “Tracks like Silverstone, Spa, or Suzuka are circuits where the bravest drivers were rewarded in qualifying.
“Now, due to the changed energy management, the high-speed corners are more like medium-speed corners. I’m sure it won’t feel as special as it used to.”
Not everyone is complaining about the Lego parade, however.
Audi rookie Gabriel Bortoleto said: “Last year, I think everyone had fun and I don’t see why this year we cannot have fun as well.
“It’s good.”