Trouble in the player’s paradise: Formula 1 goes all out in Vegas

In 1981 and 1982, the premier class of motorsport held a Grand Prix in the parking lot behind the Caesars Palace Hotel, which neither the drivers nor on site received. Las Vegas (Nevada). “The track in the Caesars Palace parking lot was very different to what we plan to do here. But that’s all part of the legacy and the incredibly rich history that Formula 1 has,” said chief organizer Renee Wilm to the German Press Agency the penultimate Grand Prix of the year on Sunday (7 a.m. CET/Sky). They want to set a whole new standard for the fan and customer experience on a race weekend.

“In a city known for offering the highest level of quality in food, drink and entertainment, the luxury and glamor that Las Vegas offers every day is a perfect counterpart to what we have in Formula 1,” explained Wilm , who is actually head of the legal department at Formula 1 rights holder Liberty Media. The media company entrusted them with organizing this very important race.

This time the Grand Prix leads past the famous hotel complexes on Las Vegas Boulevard, the so-called Strip. There were enough problems in the run-up to the spectacular project in the players’ paradise. The project, which cost the equivalent of around 460 million euros, was under immense time pressure, one had to come to terms with the demanding neighborhood, and a strike by employees in the hotel and restaurant industry was only averted at short notice. In addition, traffic around the city center circuit will temporarily come to a standstill during the Grand Prix weekend.

Not least because of this, the Formula 1 management apologized to the annoyed neighbors. “I would like to apologize to all residents of Las Vegas. We appreciate your forbearance and willingness to tolerate us,” said the CEO of rights holder Liberty Media, Greg Maffei.

Wilm is also aware that Formula 1 is shaking things up in the City of Sin. “You have to keep in mind that you’re essentially shutting down a city that’s operating 24 hours a day, you’re shutting down a lot of business, including 60,000 hotel rooms. The amount of transportation planning, security planning and general logistical planning that was required “To organize this event was truly monumental,” explained Wilm. “There is no script for what we are doing here. This is truly a unique event. We are all 100 percent committed to making this event as spectacular as possible.”

Island for Formula 1

Traffic flow in particular will be a challenge – not least for the numerous employees in the service sector who commute to work. The closed strip and the closure of three miles of public roads create a kind of island for Formula 1. No expense or effort has been spared to get to this island. “We had to build temporary bridges, which are very expensive and caused logistical problems during their construction,” said the chief organizer.

For the now 93-year-old former F1 Zampano Bernie Ecclestone, it is a late dream that comes true. “I also wanted us to drive on the Strip at the time. I wanted to make sure that when people turned on the TV they knew we were driving in Vegas and not in the desert.” But he himself wouldn’t bet any money on the fact that Formula 1 is here to stay. Also because of the much higher pricing policy than at the other US races in Miami and Austin.

Ecclestone also highlighted the completely changed status compared to 40 years ago. “Back then, no one in America knew Formula 1. Netflix has changed a lot and so have the people who bought Formula 1. Liberty Media acquired the commercial rights in 2017, as well as the very successful documentary series “Drive to survive ” has brought a surge in popularity in the US and worldwide.