On March 30, 2022, Formula 1 announced its brand-new Las Vegas Grand Prix was to be added to the 2023 calendar, joining Miami and Austin as the third Formula 1 event to be hosted in the United States. It was deemed a spectacle, planted right on the Las Vegas Strip with its allure and unmistakable environment. Media officials claimed the track would soon become one of the most iconic in the world [1].
Formula 1 has been experiencing a surge in popularity within the United States, no doubt thanks to their hit docudrama series Formula 1: Drive to Survive that first debuted on Netflix in 2019 [2]. It has resulted in thousands of new fans being drawn to the sport and has only served to expand its influence internationally.
It’s safe to assume that this newfound commerciality is what gave Formula 1 the idea to continue to grow their events across the United States. The motorsport championship has previously competed at various historic tracks such as Watkins Glen and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Miami was the newest addition to the Formula 1 calendar prior to the announcement of the Las Vegas Grand Prix [3]. And while new circuits are not anything rare in the sport, the fact that the two most recent inclusions take place in the United States does raise some questions on the motives Formula 1 has going forward.
The topic of the Las Vegas Grand Prix itself has been plaguing the sport since the track’s announcement. Concerns over the weather were especially on the minds of the Formula 1 teams themselves, as perfect conditions are required for an actual Grand Prix weekend to run smoothly.
Before competitive laps are performed, drivers must heat up their tires: a process that is made easier with a warmer track surface (optimal temperature around 212 Fahrenheit or 100 Celsius). But with the event taking place from November 16th to 19th, and ambient midnight temperatures only being around 50 Fahrenheit (10 Celsius) [4], the problem becomes evident.
It’s not only direct contributors to the sport that are complaining, but also the population of Las Vegas, who are about to experience the exhilaration of a Formula 1 Grand Prix for the first time. But of course, all that glamor comes with a price, and in this case, the price includes disruptive construction and interference with local businesses.
Venues across the Las Vegas strip are complaining of hefty fees in order to stay running during the duration of the race weekend. These payments are said to be upwards of $2.25 million for a club or restaurant with a 1500-person capacity. If these establishments refuse to comply, Formula One Management has threatened to obstruct views using barricades and stands. These fees may also cause a disturbance for customers, as businesses must charge more money to pay the costs.
There have also been several complaints from Las Vegas residents concerning the heavy construction of the circuit. Rumors have been circulating that Formula 1 is behind schedule in finishing the Las Vegas track, causing numerous streets and bridges on the Strip to be shut down in an effort to beat the clock. While there is a semblance of understanding, it’s hard not to feel the general annoyance of having the view of the iconic Las Vegas Strip be marred by yellow construction cranes and orange pylons [6].
Perhaps the most disturbing news to come out of this event is the shocking death of a worker involved in the construction of the track. 37-year-old Tizoc Antonio was pronounced dead after an accident involving a cutoff saw at a grandstand construction site [7]. While officially declared a freak accident, the incident does cast a dark and heavy shadow over an already controversial event, and could draw some negative attention towards the safety standards at these building sites.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix will certainly be an affair that the world will watch with keen eyes. It is both the city’s and sport’s way of expanding their global markets to captivate a wider audience. But the problems plaguing the sparkly show are growing more unavoidable by the day, and it is up to Formula 1 itself to decide how best to address these controversies if they wish to retain their new American following.
[4] https://us.motorsport.com/f1/news/f1-teams-concerned-by-las-vegas-tyre-temperatures/10523465/
Nanditha • Oct 17, 2023 at 2:39 pm
I love F1! Turn up!