(Motorsports news) With all the fanfare appropriate for a gambling and entertainment haven, Formula 1’s own Super Bowl Las Vegas proved its lack of modesty with an exciting grand prix. The thrilling 50-lap race around the Strip’s casinos allayed worries that the series had overlooked the athletic component of its impressive display.

Bigwigs in Formula One undoubtedly sighed with relief after Thursday’s track problems and local criticism threatened to dim the glamour of the sport’s new crown jewel—a Monaco Grand Prix for the Netflix age. With a thrilling grand prix, Formula 1’s own Super Bowl in Las Vegas demonstrated its lack of modesty with all the fanfare befitting a gambling and entertainment destination.

The exhilarating 50-lap race around the casinos on the Strip alleviated concerns that the series had failed to recognize the sporting aspect of its outstanding performance. Officials in Formula One must have exhaled in relief when Thursday’s track issues and regional criticism appeared to be tarnishing the excitement around the sport’s newest jewel in the crown—a Monaco Grand Prix fit for Netflix.

“What do they become fans of? They want to see one or more of their favorite musicians, get a few drinks with their friends, and then head out for an exciting night on the town. However, they are genuinely unaware of what we are doing or risking in order to accomplish.” This is merely a synopsis of a brilliant two-minute response that turned Verstappen into a statesman worthy of his triple world champion status—an uninvited role that he has previously mostly avoided.

Numerous exhausted fans praised Verstappen’s response on social media, and his justification makes sense. Exorbitant ticket costs and the negative effects of supporters being kicked out of the grandstands before Thursday’s postponed FP2 session contributed to the belief among many devoted fans that the Las Vegas Grand Prix was just not for them. Not only in its native Europe, but on the east coast of the United States as well, where a 3 a.m. qualifying session and a 1 a.m. race start hardly constituted an enticing invitation to join the festivities.

As far as the teams were concerned, the event was a big success from the beginning, so how could anyone be against it if sponsors were thrilled with the distinctive hospitality offerings Vegas offered? The amusing illustration of the F1 clash of cultures came when UFC commentator Bruce Buffer bellowed in the face of Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez, leaving him absolutely puzzled during the driver presentation. Perez’s look on TV may have captured the minds of many of his bewildered admirers.

Verstappen is right to be weary of the emphasis on business and entertainment, but F1 is also unable to travel to Las Vegas and perform a terrible performance. And while there were certainly many of tourists who were more interested in the party scene than the competitive sports, F1’s big race on Saturday provided the ideal setting to convert a few of those inexperienced guests from a variety of backgrounds into die-hard racing enthusiasts.

Any sport may be enjoyed by anyone with only that first spark. It makes no difference how you obtain it. There should be room on the calendar for both the extravaganza of Las Vegas and the history-soaked passion of Monza, just as there is room for the elitism of Monaco and the boisterous festival atmosphere of Silverstone, so long as Formula One maintains that delicate balance between old and new.

Not everyone is a fan of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, and it probably never will be. On a varied 24-round calendar, though, perhaps that’s acceptable.

Also read: Sainz’s potential Vegas F1 “comeback” has him in “a very bad mood”