Actor and singer-songwriter Cynthia Erivo, known for her role as Elphaba in the Wicked film franchise, made an exciting appearance at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, engaging in a unique challenge that combined her talents with the thrill of Formula 1 racing. During the event, Erivo was presented with clips of both current and former F1 drivers singing from their cars, allowing her to evaluate their vocal performances.
The fun began with McLaren driver Lando Norris, who attempted to sing “Friday Dopamine Re-Edit.” While appreciating Norris’s enthusiasm, Erivo described her experience by saying, “Lando, I don’t know what the tune is. The effort is there, but I can’t hear the tune. So I’m going to give you 4/10 for the effort.”
Following Norris, she was introduced to two-time champion Fernando Alonso, who delivered a rendition of “We Are the Champions.” Erivo noted, “You know what, Fernando, I could hear the tunes. I understood what you were singing, and I recognized it immediately. I’m going to give you 5.5/10.”
Sebastian Vettel, a four-time champion, opted for a playful performance of “Who Let the Dogs Out.” However, Erivo expressed her desire for a more powerful rendition: “Now, Seb, if we’re going to do that song, we need a little bit more like, oomph! It was very, very gentle. I’m going to have to take a few points away for the gentility there. It’s not a gentle song. We’re going to give you a 3/10. I need more effort.”
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Next, Carlos Sainz showcased his vocal talents with “Smooth Operator,” a song that has become part of his personal brand. While Erivo appreciated the song choice, she remarked, “You know what, Carlos? I love the song, but the song was not smooth. However, I do like the song choice. It’s one of my favorites. So I’m going to give you 6/10. I know it’s a crowd favorite.”
The evaluations continued with Jenson Button, the 2009 champion, who was captured on a clip screaming “We Are The Champions.” Erivo was pleasantly surprised, stating, “You know what, actually, I liked it! I liked it because I can hear the potential for a vibrato in there. And it’s high up in the register. You’re singing it up there. Jenson, you know what, you get a 7/10. That’s the most tuneful I’ve heard so far.”
Max Verstappen also made an appearance, performing “Viva Las Vegas” and impressing Erivo with his vocal delivery. She praised him, saying, “Max! I’m impressed! You get an 8/10 for that. It’s, you know, appropriate for where we are. It’s right on the tune there. Rhythm is great. Good job, well done.”
In addition to her vocal critiques, Erivo enjoyed hands-on experiences at the event, including a hot lap around the Las Vegas Grand Prix street circuit with Button and a visit to the Williams garage, where she had the chance to sit in Sainz’s cockpit. This unique blend of music and motorsport showcased Erivo’s engaging personality and her ability to appreciate both the art of singing and the excitement of Formula 1 racing.
