Along with a drone show and musical performances, the event included a section during which the drivers emerged from giant boxes on the pit straight and were introduced to the crowd.
Verstappen, who also opted to miss a later VIP event at the Wynn’s hotel complex that F1 boss Stefano Domenicali asked all the drivers to attend, made it clear that he is not enjoying the Las Vegas experience thus far.
"For me you can all skip these things," the Red Bull driver said when asked about the ceremony. "It's not about the singer, it's just standing up there, you look like a clown."
Asked to what degree the Las Vegas weekend was a show, he said: "99% show, and 1% sporting event."
The triple world champion continued: "Not a lot of emotions, to be honest. I just like to always focus on the performance side of things.
"I don't like all the things around it, anyway. I know, of course, in some places they are part of it, but let's say it's not in my interest."
As a result, Verstappen indicated that he is not looking forward to the event - the first staged in Las Vegas since the Caesars Palace Grand Prix in 1982.
"This weekend?” he replied when asked about it. “No. I'm looking forward to try to do the best I can, but I'm not looking forward to this [the show]."
Source: Autosport