The F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix is known for high-speed racing and controversy. Dive into the world of racing and the drama surrounding this event.
Years of preparation led to a racetrack in the heart of Las Vegas, but the journey has been rocky. From lawsuits to construction issues, this event has seen it all.
A Rocky Start
Years in the making, F1 racing roared back into Las Vegas in 2023, kicking off a ten-year contract between Formula 1 racing and the city. However, the event was met with lawsuits, exploding manhole covers, and disruptions that some called Stripageddon. The nine-month makeover to build the track led to general apathy and hostility from locals towards the 2024 F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix.
More than 40 years ago, Caesars Palace attempted to bring F1 racing to a track behind its casino. Races were held in 1981 and 1982 but were poorly attended. The Caesar Palace Grand Prix eventually went to CART racing for two years and was then disbanded. Hopes were higher for the Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix in 2023, which was expected to see racecars hurtling down the world-famous Las Vegas Strip at more than 200mph.
Dual in the Desert
The F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix was a night race winding through neon casino walls. F1 and its partner, Liberty Media, spent more than $500 million on the completed Las Vegas Grand Prix Plaza near the Strip. The race’s layout, designed by Carsten Tilke and Tilke GMBH, included iconic features like the new Sphere entertainment complex and a straight shot down Las Vegas Blvd.
Charles Leclerc set a race speed record of 350.5 kph (about 218mph). The track was called “massively challenging” by Lewis Hamilton, while George Russell said, “It’s good for racing, but maybe not the most exciting to drive.” Despite these challenges, Oscar Piastri set a Las Vegas one-lap record of 1.35.4.
Bright Lights and Big Money
Brands were eager to combine the excitement of Las Vegas and F1 racing. Sponsors included Heineken, American Express, Nieman Marcus, T-Mobile, Puma, and Sports Illustrated, all hosting extravagant parties and displays. The musical lineup for the Las Vegas F1 Grand Prix included John Legend, Tiesto, Keith Urban, Journey, and acts by Cirque Soliel.
The event featured decadent choices like a $5,000 per person dinner and whiskey tasting at Jean Georges, a $1,000 ticket to see Kylie Minogue at the Amber lounge, and an extravagant after-party on the 66th floor of Resorts World with DJ Pee.Wee. Sotheby’s held a private auction, with the star being a 2013 Mercedes AMG Petronas driven by Lewis Hamilton, auctioned for $18,815,000.
The F1 Vegas Car-tastrophe
The F1 Las Vegas schedule was different as it was a night race. Practice sessions were held after dark, with the first one on Thursday. However, just eight minutes into the first session, Carlos Sainz hit a dislodged manhole cover, tearing apart his car’s underbelly. This incident brought the practice to a halt.
F1 stopped the practice to address the issue, but fans were not happy. The second practice, scheduled for midnight, was pushed back multiple times. Eventually, the decision was made to clear the track of spectators around 1:30 a.m., leading to lawsuits from those who purchased tickets for the Thursday Practice sessions.
Unhappy Fans and Disappointed Drivers
Fans who spent tens of thousands of dollars on tickets were not pleased with the disruptions. Carlos Sainz, after replacing engine components and much of the body and chassis of his Ferrari, had his second-place qualifying spot dropped ten spots for a penalty. Max Verstappen won the race at 1:29:08, followed by Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez.
The disruptions were blamed on race organizers, resulting in disappointment among fans, Carlos Sainz, and the Ferrari team. Fans filed lawsuits, and many were left frustrated by the handling of the event.
F1 Las Vegas: The Debacle in The Desert?
Media coverage of the event included words like embarrassing, nuisance, and debacle in the desert. Lawsuits from casinos and local businesses claimed millions in lost revenues due to construction and traffic rerouting. Many locals lost tip money and work hours, and traffic headaches tripled some workers’ commute times.
Clark County commissioners and Liberty Media acknowledged the issues but pointed to a $1.5 billion impact from the weekend event. Las Vegas F1 created and maintained about 2,200 jobs over the nine-month build-out period. Despite these benefits, lawsuits continue to roll in from businesses claiming lost earnings due to construction.
Putting the Sparkle Back Into the F1
Despite the controversies, the F1 Race Las Vegas saga will likely continue through 2026 and probably at least 2033, as F1 has a $500 million real estate investment to protect. Confusion remains about whether county commissioners signed a contract. Turning back now would be costly and lead to more litigation.
Tickets for the 2024 F1 Las Vegas race, scheduled for November 21st to 23rd, are on sale. The event promises cheaper tickets to attract crowds. The F1 Las Vegas schedule coincides with the weekend before Thanksgiving. With lessons learned, it aims to showcase the luxury of Las Vegas and the excitement of F1.
The F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix promises excitement and drama. With ongoing controversies, it remains a spectacle worth watching.
As the event progresses, the aim is to learn from past mistakes and offer an unforgettable racing experience in Las Vegas.
Source: Casino
