The Inaugural Year of Formula 1 in Las Vegas: Triumphs and Tribulations

Introduction

When Formula 1 announced that it would be racing in Las Vegas fans from around the world were eager to get their tickets and book their rooms in the iconic Las Vegas Strip hotels and casinos. The city’s association with entertainment and glamour created high expectations for a Formula 1 race that would be both thrilling on the track and to the spectators that would fill the grandstands for a three-day event in the desert.

The choice of an iconic venue for the race, such as the Las Vegas Strip or a purpose-built track, added to the allure of the event. The prospect of Formula 1 cars racing against the backdrop of the city’s famous landmarks created a visual spectacle that captured the imagination of fans. The introduction of Formula 1 in Las Vegas brought with it the promise of significant economic benefits.

Overall, the excitement surrounding the introduction of Formula 1 in Las Vegas was a convergence of motorsport prestige, cultural resonance, economic potential, and the promise of a world-class event set against the backdrop of one of the most iconic cities in the world.

But it came at a Cost to Locals

The beginning of summer was construction projects everywhere. The Tropicana bridge over the 15 freeway was being destroyed for a new wider bridge. Roads around the strip were getting torn apart with nightly road closures. The Las Vegas Strip was in the process of building the Formula 1 track. Which involved one side of the road to be completely redone and had to be finished by race time November 16-18, 2023.

Accessibility to hotels and venues around the Las Vegas Strip where subject to reroutes and lengthy traffic backups as roads were bottlenecked into one lane. The airport traffic experience is just about the same.

Most locals have had enough of the intense construction on the Las Vegas Strip and now were second-guessing the whole Formula 1 project to just be a major disruption to the entire city altogether.

The Promise of a Spectacular Event

Formula 1 doesn’t come without the promise of spectacular entertainment. The opening ceremony was performed by legendary Donny Osmond along with Andra Day, Bishop Briggs, John Legend, J Balvin, Journey, Keith Urban, and Thirty Seconds to Mars, just to name a few.

The Positives

• F1 Vegas had a $1.7 billion economic impact on Vegas. The 8th highest in national sporting event history.
• Great entertainment, and great grandstand views.
• The best background visuals of the Las Vegas Strip.
• World Class Food and Restaurants.
• Thrilling for most motorsports enthusiasts.
• Highlight standout races that captivated fans.
• Brings in millions of revenue to top-level establishments.
• Media coverage, tourism, and global attention.
• F1 boosted Las Vegas’ international profile and appeal.

The Challenges

• Overextended construction for the Las Vegas circuit.
• Road closures galore!
• Local businesses affected by the road construction
• Taxi cabs and Rideshare are not happy.
• Any restaurant or club on the strip with a view is charged with a possible franchise fee.
• Las Vegas Strip Pedestrian cross bridges have blocked views of the Strip.
• Locals raise concerns about the worth F1 is bringing to Las Vegas.
• The first day of the race manhole covers came loose. Practice runs were halted. Spectators were forced to leave.
• Formula 1 drivers didn’t care much for the glitz of Las Vegas. They just wanted to race.

Environmental Impact of Formula 1

Formula 1 race in Las Vegas brought attention to several environmental concerns, reflecting a growing awareness of the impact large-scale events can have on the environment. While the excitement of hosting such a prestigious race was palpable, these concerns prompted discussions about balancing the thrill of motorsport with responsible environmental practices.

• Cutting down the trees on the Las Vegas Strip was frowned upon. Locals did not like this.
• They say F1 will plant more trees. Remains to be seen.

• Discuss any environmental concerns raised by the events.
• Strategies for mitigating the environmental impact.
• Formula 1 races involve high-performance cars that run on powerful engines, often consuming significant amounts of fuel.
• The carbon emissions from these cars, combined with the transportation of teams, equipment, and fans to the event, raised concerns about the overall carbon footprint of the race and its contribution to climate change.
• Large-scale events generate substantial amounts of waste, including packaging, food containers, and promotional materials.
• Constructing and maintaining a Formula 1 track, along with the associated infrastructure for hosting the race, requires significant resources such as water, energy, and raw materials.
• The choice of the race venue and the construction of the track could potentially impact local ecosystems, including flora and fauna.
• The overall commitment of Formula 1 organizers and teams to sustainable practices came under scrutiny.

Fan Experience Criticisms at Formula 1 Las Vegas

• One of the most common criticisms was related to ticket prices. Some fans expressed dissatisfaction with the cost of attending the Formula 1 races in Las Vegas, perceiving them as too high.
• High ticket prices and accessibility potentially exclude a portion of the fanbase, leading to disappointment among those who may have been eager to witness the event in person.
• Fans raised concerns about the quality and availability of facilities and amenities at the race venue. This included issues with restroom facilities, seating comfort, and the overall infrastructure.
• Traffic congestion and accessibility to the race venue were common grievances. Long lines, traffic jams, and challenges in reaching the venue efficiently were reported by some attendees.
• Events, exhibitions, and activities surrounding the Formula 1 weekend were scrutinized for their ability to engage and entertain fans beyond the track.
• Some attendees felt that there were limited opportunities for fan engagement with drivers, teams, and the overall Formula 1 experience.
• Depending on the time of year and the specific climate of Las Vegas, weather-related concerns such as extreme heat or unpredictable conditions could impact the fan experience.

Conclusion

The Formula 1 in Las Vegas despite its lengthy construction around the Las Vegas strip. Had a very good turnout for the race for the three days of November 16th-18th. Next year’s F1 race will be on November 21-23, 2024.

It remains to be seen if some of the structures that were built will remain up for the next race to alleviate construction time. Rumor has it that some traffic bridges that were built might remain in place to save time on the next race.

The locals knew this was going to have a lot of disruptions along the way. However, I do believe that there will be an acceptance to the next race and traffic will be better streamlined for a smoother transition to the Formula 1 track.

Las Vegas did everything it could to accommodate the Formula 1 race and I believe with the learning curve behind us we can better prepare for next year’s race with more things to experience for the fans and spectators in and around Las Vegas. We have a sports city now and we have to make these events as memorable as possible for the world to experience and say, ‘They would return to Las Vegas for any major event’.