The Red Bull driver said the Silverstone activation was “not what Formula 1 needs” as he joined Lewis Hamilton in raising concerns over the format, which will see all 22 drivers complete the parade in individual drivable Lego minicars.
The concept returns this weekend after being used at the 2025 Miami Grand Prix, where the drivers shared team-themed Lego cars in a parade that quickly descended into a light-hearted demolition derby.
For Silverstone, Formula 1 and the Lego Group have expanded the idea, giving every driver their own minicar built from more than 28,000 Lego bricks.
The cars are capable of reaching 25km/h and will be used during the drivers’ parade ahead of Sunday’s British Grand Prix.
While the activation proved popular with fans in Miami, Verstappen said he would rather see F1 stick with its traditional pre-race format.
“I prefer to play with Lego at home, you know, with the kids. Not on a go-kart here, to be honest,” Verstappen told Viaplay.
“I prefer to stand on a truck, just with everyone together. I think that’s more fun and I think it also looks more professional.”
The four-time world champion said the parade did not fit with the image Formula 1 should be presenting.
“Because at the end of the day we are Formula 1 drivers, I think we should not look like kids and clowns trying to ram into each other.
“I don’t think that is what Formula 1 needs, but it is what it is.”
Verstappen said he had no intention of repeating the chaos seen in Miami, where drivers made contact, cut corners and sent Lego bricks flying during the parade.
Instead, he said he would simply complete the lap and acknowledge the fans around Silverstone.
“I just do my lap and wave at the fans because they deserve that, to see us. But, of course, from my side I would have loved to see it a little bit different.”
Verstappen also suggested there was nothing wrong with the usual drivers’ parade, where the full grid is taken around the circuit together on the back of a truck.
“I just get it over with as quickly as possible, wave to the fans because they deserve that,” he said.
“Of course, if it’s up to me I would just like a normal driver parade.
“What is wrong with an electric truck or whatever driving us around? I think that’s fine.
“But it is what it is, it’s not in my control.”
Hamilton had already raised doubts about his own involvement in the parade, joking it could prove more hazardous than the grand prix itself.
“I mean, it’s the most dangerous part of the weekend,” Hamilton said.
“I let Charles drive last time and it was just hilarious watching everyone crashing into each other.
“So yeah, I don’t know whether or not I’ll be in the Lego car this year.”
When asked whether he was genuinely concerned about the risk of injury, Hamilton said there was more to discuss away from the public forum.
“There’s not really much to say on that car thing. That’s something I need to take offline.”
Most drivers spoke positively about the return of the cars when quizzed about it earlier in the weekend, with Lando Norris and Valtter Bottas among those more enthusiastic about the parade’s return.
“I’m pretty excited for it, actually!” Norris said.
“If it’s like Miami, of course, then I think whoever can make it back to the start line will be a winner already.
“So, I think it’s a cool thing to do. It’s different. It’s nice to, obviously when you’re all together and you can have a little chitchat and see the fans when you’re on the truck.
“But I think it’s nice to do something different every now and then. So as long as it’s safe and we all behave, which we shall, then it will be a jolly good ride.”
Bottas added he was looking forward to taking part after missing the Miami version last year.
“I’m actually really excited because I missed it in Miami last year when I was watching it and it looked so fun,” Bottas said.
“So I think the key will be, because everyone is capped to 25 kilometres per hour, saving distance is probably the key.
“I’m excited. So saving distance is my strategy, and using tow.”
Each of the 22 minicars was built at the Lego Group’s Kladno factory in the Czech Republic, with 20 designers, engineers and Lego specialists involved in the project.
The full fleet took more than 6400 combined hours to develop and build, with each car weighing around 280kg and carrying the colours and race number of its driver.
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