Formula 1 returned to Las Vegas for the first time since 1982 this weekend, and it was certainly a thrilling one.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, world champion Max Verstappen came out on top as he recorded his 18th victory of the season.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who started on pole position, finished in second. While Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate, Sergio Pérez, completed the podium.
There is no questioning the Las Vegas Grand Prix was not just about the racing, but also the glitz and glamor surrounding it – it is Vegas after all.
Well, before the race, Bruce Buffer announced all the drivers to the bumper crowd in the Nevada desert.
And it’s the way he announced Pérez to the Formula 1 fans that has led to many labeling it as the ‘cringiest’ moment ever.
Announcing Pérez’s achievements, such as winning multiple races, Buffer elongates the driver’s surname as he approaches the Red Bull driver.
To say Pérez appears a little awkward about the situation is an understatement, as Buffer concludes his over the top announcement.
But as Buffer prepares to introduce the next driver to the grid, a bewildered Perez asks: “Where am I suppose to go?”
The clip was posted to the official Formula 1 Instagram account, and it’s fair to say fans were not exactly impressed.
“Second hand embarrassment is real,” one fan wrote.
“Cringiest event in F1 history,” a second added.
While a third remarked: “Who ever this guy is just delivered more cringe in 20 seconds than the whole Miami GP.”
Though some fans did find the situation pretty hilarious, with one commenting: “I CAN’T STOP LAUGHING.”
Another wrote: “IT WAS SO AWKWARD AND FUNNY.”
Three-time world champion Verstappen is one of the main names to have been critical of the Las Vegas Grand Prix over the past few days.
He previously labeled the grand prix as ’99 percent show and 1 percent sport’ following the grand opening ceremony on Wednesday (15 November) where the Red Bull driver said he felt like a ‘clown’.
Speaking to press, Verstappen said: “I think if you would actually put more time into the actual sport and what we are actually trying to achieve here.
“Because as a little kid we [drivers] grew up to be a world champion. If the sport would put more focus onto these kinds of things and also what a team is doing, what they are achieving and what they are working for, then these kinds of things are way more important to look at than having all these random shows all over the place.”
