MIAMI – System One turned to will.i.am and LL Cool J so as to add some razzmatazz across the build-up to the Miami Grand Prix however drivers remained unconvinced in regards to the introductions that they had to participate in earlier than the race.

In a departure from the traditional pre-race process forward of Sunday’s predominant occasion, a portion of time was put aside for LL Cool J to introduce the drivers in reverse championship order whereas flanked by cheerleaders from the Miami Dolphins.

As that passed off, will.i.am was conducting an orchestra enjoying his new track, The System, written particularly for F1 and launched forward of the Miami race, now in its second yr.

The pre-race present was mentioned on the Friday drivers’ briefing and ESPN understands objections to it have been raised. Sources have indicated that F1 needs to push forward with comparable introductions at sure occasions however is but to persuade all of the drivers of the deserves of doing so.

“Not one of the drivers prefer it, however it’s not for us on the finish of the day,” McLaren’s Lando Norris mentioned after the race on Sunday, when requested in regards to the introductions.

Williams driver Alex Albon was equally dismissive, saying when requested about it: “It is the present. We’re within the present enterprise now”.

F1 has been eager to totally lean into the American market the place doable this yr — with November’s Las Vegas Grand Prix becoming a member of the long-established U.S. Grand Prix in Austin, the nation hosts three races in a calendar yr for the primary time since 1981.

Mercedes driver George Russell complained about having to face for thus lengthy within the solar whereas absolutely wearing race overalls.

“It’s distracting as a result of, you understand, we have been on the grid for half an hour in all of our overalls within the solar. I do not assume there’s some other sports activities on the earth that half-hour earlier than you exit to do your small business that you simply’re on the market within the solar, all of the cameras on you, and making a little bit of a present of it.

“We spoke about it as drivers on Friday evening. All people’s obtained completely different personalities. I suppose it is the American means of doing issues, doing sport.

“Personally, [it’s] most likely not for me. However you understand, that is simply my private opinion.”

Race winner Max Verstappen mentioned it’s pure to have drivers who prefer it and others who don’t.

“I feel it is a persona factor, proper? Some individuals wish to be extra within the highlight, some individuals do not,” Verstappen mentioned. “I personally do not so for me I feel that naturally what they did at this time was not essential, I choose to simply stroll to my automotive, discuss to my engineers, put the helmet on and drive. However after all I’ve to just accept the leisure worth.”

There have been some in favour, comparable to seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who additionally welcomed the presence of celebrities comparable to tennis legends Serena and Venus Williams on the grid and hugged LL Cool J as his introduction was being finished.

“They [Formula One] are attempting new issues, they’re attempting to enhance the present at all times, and I am in full help of it,” Hamilton mentioned.

“Geez, I grew up listening to LL Cool J, and LL Cool J was there. That is cool. You look over, you have obtained will.i.am who’s an unimaginable artist. You’ve got obtained Serena and Venus standing there. I believed it was cool.”

Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg, who got here again to F1 this yr after sitting out in 2020, 2021 and 2022, was additionally within the minority of drivers who loved the expertise.

“It was fairly good if you stand there and you then see different drivers stroll out, the group go bananas,” he mentioned. “I had some goosebumps really. I fairly preferred that half.”

F1 had beforehand tried comparable forward of the 2019 U.S. Grand Prix at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas, with the introductions on that event being carried out by legendary boxing announcer Michael Buffer. These have been additionally met with a blended response — on the time, Fernando Alonso known as them “a nasty joke”.

Alonso, who on this event was talking after recording his fourth podium of the season for Aston Martin, objected to the concept that sure fanbases ought to be handled otherwise to others.

“I do not assume the Miami followers are higher than the Italian followers in Imola, or in Spain, or in Mexico, or in Japan,” Alonso mentioned. “I feel we have to make everybody with the identical present earlier than the race.”

Verstappen mentioned: “I hope we do not have that each single time as a result of we’ve a really lengthy season, so we do not want an entry like that each time. It is determined by the group and what you need from leisure.”

Crimson Bull boss Christian Horner sympathised with drivers who did not prefer it.

“It is fairly powerful for the drivers, to be trustworthy with you, to be operating via dried ice and high-fiving A-listers that they are most likely not fairly positive who they’re. Then thrown into the nationwide anthem and anticipated to ship.

“There’s not many sports activities that athletes have to do this. And so I feel we should be respectful.”

Horner mentioned System One is correct to check what works in several international locations.

“I feel there’s lots of experimenting happening. It is a new market, U.S. sport is completely different to that.

“You are not going to see drivers operating via dry ice at Silverstone. Possibly with a cravat and a tie, possibly! It is various things for various markets.

“In fact you’ll be able to perceive [Formula One owners] Liberty and the promoters exploring various things, as a result of they’re competing with different sports activities. However I feel it is discovering that steadiness that is proper and acceptable.”

Pierre Gasly had maybe essentially the most measured verdict on Sunday night, admitting frustrations at spending so lengthy out of the automotive earlier than the race, however that F1 ought to proceed to strive new issues.

“It was too lengthy,” mentioned Gasly. “Not sufficient time earlier than leaping within the automotive. I do not understand how the opposite drivers really feel however I really feel like generally it’s essential to be down and type of in your bubble proper earlier than leaping within the automotive.

“However total it was good to attempt to I am positive subsequent time we’ll do small tweaks subsequent time we do an analogous factor.”