Christian Horner said Max Verstappen’s criticism of the Las Vegas Grand Prix was ‘refreshing’.
Verstappen has criticised the event and called the street circuit ‘boring’.
Many figures within Formula One have disagreed with the Dutchman.
But the Red Bull chief said: “Max would’ve thoroughly enjoyed that race because that is what he loves and that is what he is here for.
“The fact he won it in an Elvis Presley suit and was singing Viva Las Vegas on an in-lap, whilst you have to respect that it doesn’t sit comfortably with him, some of the razzmatazz that goes around F1, it is quite refreshing that he is prepared to speak and give an honest opinion.”
Verstappen did not enjoy the razzmatazz around the event in Sin City, despite winning Sunday’s Grand Prix.
“This is the Eredivisie, while Monaco is the Champions League,” he said, referring to the Dutch football’s first division relative to the sport’s top European competition.
“There’s nothing wrong with the Eredivisie, by the way, but everyone wants to win the Champions League, right?
“How [the event is put together] and how it looks, there is nothing wrong with it, but [the Champions League] is top of course.”