Ecclestone is working on a return of F1 to Las Vegas
Bernie Ecclestone has not ruled out the idea of F1 coming to Las Vegas, which has not hosted an F1 race since 1982. It would be a marketing coup for both parties, F1 and the sin city.
The United States is attracting F1, and Bernie Ecclestone has not ruled out the idea of organizing a second Grand Prix there. While the New York/New Jersey option seems to have stalled, the Briton is considering investing in Vegas after Austin.
Vegas says they are ready to host F1 and it would undoubtedly take place on the Strip, Ecclestone said, as quoted by The Independent, referring to the main thoroughfare of Las Vegas, lined with the world’s most famous hotels/casinos, like the Bellagio or Caesars Palace.
The last time F1 visited the capital of Nevada was in 1982 on a track laid out in the Caesars Palace parking lot, but the race didn’t have a real impact. According to the British daily, a street race could be of interest to explore the locales of Las Vegas and it would be a good thing for F1 according to Zak Brown, who links F1 and sponsors: Vegas would be a fantastic addition to the F1 calendar and this event would be a success for many people involved. It would be a perfect match for the F1 brand and would attract a lot of sponsor interest in one of F1’s most important strategic markets – America. Vegas would greatly benefit from the F1 fan base, which will undoubtedly invest a lot of money during this weekend.
A source close to the case adds that Hermann Tilke, a Formula 1 track designer, allegedly visited Las Vegas to work on the course layout: « Tilke made some field visits. I know that if he stays that long, there must be something to do. »
For 20 years, Bernie Ecclestone has been trying to bring Las Vegas back to the F1 calendar, which would certainly be a major coup for F1 in a country where NASCAR reigns supreme. In the United States, F1 viewership increased by 1.7 million for a total of 11.4 million last year; however, F1 is overshadowed by NASCAR and even IndyCar.
In 2012, F1 made its return to the United States in Austin after a 5-year absence. However, the Las Vegas event could be added, bringing the total number of F1 Grand Prix in the United States to two.
« They love their entertainment, that’s why the United States could host 2 races, maybe not 2 events side by side on the calendar. I would just like them to make Las Vegas a great track. It’s great to have events in city centers, but it mustn’t be too easy, » thinks Damon Hill.
The entrepreneur Tavo Hellmund, who founded the United States Grand Prix in Austin and the Circuit of the Americas, stated:
« Las Vegas would be a great place for a Grand Prix and it is one of the only two cities in the States that won’t have to worry about the market, since every weekend is a big weekend with a different crowd. The other being New York. »
In 2011, New Jersey could have hosted the United States Grand Prix twice, but they were unable to pay nearly 80 million euros needed to complete the work on the street circuit.
« Ultimately, there are a million countries that would like to have a F1 race, but they cannot afford it, » admits Ecclestone.
