Max Verstappen, the three-time defending champion, received an unusual mention following his victory in Las Vegas, as his name was used by the Denver Broncos to disguise a play in an NFL game.
Formula One has recently seen an increase in interest and coverage in the hotspot market of the United States. This year, three races were held in the United States, with Las Vegas following Miami and Austin.
The recent surge in American F1 races has highlighted the sport’s growing popularity in the country.
Verstappen, the dominant Dutchman, has been the sport’s face for the last two seasons. The Red Bull driver won his 18th race of the season under the lights of Las Vegas, becoming the first driver to win three races in the same country in a single season, having previously won in Miami and Austin.
Verstappen was quickly back in the spotlight of American sports after his spectacular win in Vegas, but this time for a very different reason.
The following evening, during an NFL game between the Denver Broncos and the Minnesota Vikings, the reigning champion’s name was mentioned. Russell Wilson, the Broncos’ quarterback, called an audible play named after the Dutch driver at the end of the second quarter.
Wilson repeated the play twice to his teammates, and Verstappen’s name could be clearly heard through the NFL’s television coverage. Verstappen, a name that may have gone unnoticed by American audiences in the past, was clearly recognized by the co-commentator. It appears that his antics in Las Vegas the night before had not gone unnoticed.
Despite initially criticizing the recent event in Las Vegas for its materialistic nature, Verstappen stood proudly atop the podium by the end of the weekend and had some more positive words to say about his latest trip to the United States.
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