Formula One F1 - Las Vegas Grand Prix - Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S - November 14, 2023 Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez pose in ‘Viva Las Vegas’ Race Suit in tribute to Elvis Presley Oracle Red Bull Racing/Handout via REUTERS
LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - Red Bulls triple world champion Max Verstappen will do his best Elvis impersonation on Saturday wearing a race suit inspired by the King for the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Partnering with Elvis Presley Enterprises, Verstappen and team mate Sergio Perez will wear ‘Viva Las Vegas’ race suits in homage to Elvis’ signature Las Vegas jumpsuit.
"As we gear up for the first ever Grand Prix in Las Vegas, it’s only fitting that we pay tribute to the most prolific Las Vegas icon, Elvis Presley," said Red Bull team principal Christian Horner in a statement.
"Elvis left his mark on Vegas and the world, becoming synonymous with the glitz, the flash, and the energy of the Strip, something we are hoping to replicate as we take to the track on Saturday night."
While Horner indicated Red Bull is all about the glitz, Verstappen has spent much of the buildup to Saturday evening's race under the lights railing against the flashy showbiz promotion surrounding the event.
But the Dutchman, who will start second on the grid alongside Ferrari polesitter Charles LeClerc, will go for a record-extending single season 18th win wearing an Elvis themed race suit that, in promotional photos, comes with a red cape and fake gold belt.
Victory in Nevada would be the 53rd of his career, equalling the tally of four-times world champion Sebastian Vettel and lifting Verstappen to joint third in the all-time win lists.
Only Lewis Hamilton (103) and Michael Schumacher (91) have won more.
Verstappen may not be a fan of the Las Vegas hype but Red Bull is all in.
Along with the Elvis race suits the two Red Bulls will run with poker chip wheel covers.
After the race, replicas of the racing suits will make their way to Presley's famed home Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee while the speciality branded tyre covers will go to team sponsor PokerStars charity tournament.
(Reporting by Steve Keating in Las Vegas. Editing by Kim Coghill)
