F1 In Vegas?

Believe me, they heard this loud and clear. I think the first year they learned and are making adjustments. But the point was so many in the media said it would be a failure financially. That it would have poor attendance. That the race circuit was boring. That being at midnight in November would be a disaster. That the hotels couldn't function as the staffing just refused to show up for work. Etc, etc.

None of that happened. Race fans came, had a good time on and off the track, and went home happy. That's what going to a sporting event should do.

 

The fact that Liberty foots the bill means they really want this and they want this to stay.

 

This is an extremely small data point to base the event's success on. Quick frankly, it's sad to call an F1 event a great success based on the financial gain of Casinos. Nobody else see's something wrong with that? The message is loud and clear though, the ONLY thing that matters in F1 (and everything else) is money.

 

I agree. It's sad that the success of a GP is judged by its impact on the local economy rather than on the racing.
I cannot come to term with that new orientation Liberty is giving to F1.

 

What would you call "success" then?

Because a couple of hundred thousand F1 fans showed up from all over the world and had a great time. And the race itself might have been the best of the season despite that the championships were already long over.

So what is lacking here?

 

I would say there is multiple elements that could be judged as a success or failure, and who is judging it.

- The city of Vegas, the economic impact. I suspect it was a success to them, though I don't know how much it cost the city, which in turn means cost the tax payers.
- The residents of Vegas, how much the event impacted their daily lives. I heard plenty of complaints, but overall it seems like they did a pretty good job building the whole thing.
- Liberty and F1, did they make a profit? Giving the crazy prices, I can't see how they didn't. However Liberty did invest enormous amounts of money into the event.

Since it's an F1 event, we should judge how that unfolded.

- All the pre-race hype, the flash and flare of the event. Wasteful overly expensive theatrics. The vast majority of fans despised all of this. Even some of the drivers spoke out negatively about it. So that would be a failure.
- The worst start times to host an event, pretty much universally agreed nobody liked that. Failure.
- The track failing within 8 minutes and cancelling FP1. Failure
- Starting FP2 at 4 am. Failure for fans, though a successful effort to salvage a session.
- All the fans that were kicked out on Friday and not reimbursed. Huge failure.
- The race. Very enjoyable to watch. Big success!

Just because Casino's made bank and they sold a lot of tickets ahead of the event, does not automatically mean a successful event IMO. Especially since they are ignoring all the feedback from the fans. Say a giant concert set in fields (aka: Woodstock) took place, sold 500,000 tickets at $50 a pop. Unfortunately on the last day, a huge fire killed 50,000 fans. Documents when purchasing tickets and entering the fairgrounds say fans can't sue if something goes wrong, so they are SOL. 2 months later a posting of the great success the concert was because it sold so many tickets and netted huge profits. Would you call it a success simply based on those figures, or would it be a failure since 50,000 people died? Of course this is extreme, but the point of a single data pool of non F1 related business making money should not dictate if an F1 was a success or not.

Next year, will they make any changes the fans are practically demanding? If they don't, will they sell as many tickets? I thought the speeds were exciting, and the racing was great. But there was a lot to be improved on, and it sure would be nice if it was more accessible to the average person, and not the rich. It's worrying that changes fans and residents are begging for will be ignored because the only thing being looked at is revenue.

 

SO much to unpack here but I'll try. 1) don't believe internet BS. Most locals don't travel the Strip. Aside from Uber and Taxi drivers, most never saw any impact or much of one. Construction throughout Vegas is a normal complaint because its everywhere as the City grows. 2) tourism is the life blood of people who work in Vegas. The week before the Thanksgiving is the worst of the year. This year, one of the best. Of course that has an impact on daily lives. Some businesses were hurt, others helped. That's with anything. And the amount of "sprucing up" up and down the Strip leading up was enormous. That was construction jobs and some fixing up that was long overdue. Don't tell me a construction worker making a good salary doesn't spend that in the rest of the City thereby improving the economy. 3) It costed the County (not the City) about $40M. But it was all infrastructure that is used every day. Some of the streets that were repaved, widened, and improved really needed it. And the tax money from the race over the next 10 years will more than pay for it. The FIA says the track may not need another repaving for 6-7 years based on their calculations. The impact to taxpayers was positive which is why you don't hear any bally-hoo about it.

So, about the track failure. That's an FIA issue as they approved the track. Teething problems and for sure, poorly handled as they tried to fix the problem. But they worked all night and did fix it and the next two days were flawless, as was the organization of the event itself. Great food, entertainment, and easy to get to and out of.

They have already said next year will be changes. Why wouldn't they? Everything can be improved from a first major event of this type. For one, it won't take as long to set up. Everything is in storage. And they want to add support races to help add more racing.

If they failed badly one way it was not in reaching out to locals. They should have had off site events and special prices for locals months before the event. I think they will correct this.

Did Liberty make money? Well, they invested $800M into the race which they are the promoters for the next 9 years. The race was a sell out. Some hotels got overly aggressive in pricing and cut back at the end. That's normal supply and demand. Still they made a ton more than that normal calendar date.

Lastly, I don't understand the whinning about the "pre-race event". These are some of the most famous and best paid athletes in the world. Pampered, spoiled as well. Their fans flew thousands of miles to see them. You can't stand on a podium and wave to them for 5 minutes while they enjoy themselves? Its Vegas baby. Everything is entertainment here. You don't come to Vegas and expect it to be like in 1965. Anyone who complained --Lighten up Francis! Its show biz, and it PAYS THE BILLS that allows the teams to make cars and for them to drive.

I predict Vegas will become of of those "must go to events" by F1 fans. Its easy to attend, its a fun race with lots of passing, and there's plenty to do before and after the race rounding out your holiday dollars.

 

The Mayor is 100% right! Vegas F1 was a fun spectacle from the day early we arrive to the day extra we stayed after the race. Vegas F1 is only going to get better and the inaugural event we great from this fan's perspective. If you did not go...you missed it!

 

Don't get me wrong, I am not anti-Vegas. There is a lot of positives to the race. I certainly would take the Vegas GP over the Miami GP. I'm just saying that calling Vegas a success strictly based off the financial gains of the Casino's is a very narrow view of the overall event, and honestly shouldn't at all be what dictates the value of a Formula 1 event. I think this further reduces the greatness of F1. We have seen it for years how F1 keeps getting worse and worse. With huge $$$ figures being published and that being pushed as the end all and be all of success to a race, we are likely to see more crappy street circuits, less and less true race tracks that showcase an F1 car. We will see less emphasis on racing, and more on "the show". Everything gets more and more expensive. F1 will bring in tracks that pay huge dollars to host an event, and those venues will put on as much flash and nonsense as close to businesses so they can make the biggest profit possible. Meanwhile, no thought is put into the actual racing. Two thumbs down for me.

I am glad you and others had a good time at the race. There are also people that didn't. The vast majority of viewers around the world did not enjoy the "entertainment" aspect of the event. The track layout offers very little excitement. Qualifying is particularly enjoyable on a track that highlights the unbelievable capabilities of an F1 car and it's driver. Vegas does not offer this. High speeds are cool, and it made for an enjoyable race, so it isn't all bad that's for sure. Let's hope it always produces a good race.

I personally have no desire to attend the Vegas GP. The terrible hours, the long waiting, the extremely high costs doesn't sound great to me. I would much rather go to the Canadian GP that is put on at normal hours, the whole family can attend it. The city becomes a huge event during the weekend. Great food and activities everywhere. There are multiple support races. The track is fun, plenty of view screens, and some of the best races have taken place there. All for a much lower cost.

I am very curious what changes will be made and I am hopeful that the Vegas GP becomes a good F1 event and not just something to do between gambling. It can't just be good to the people attending at the race, but also the millions of viewers watching. So far it is nowhere close to the hype they are trying to build it up to be. But it really is the only West Coast F1 race, so I want it to succeed.

 

Since when a Grand Prix is supposed to be a "fun spectacle" ?
I thought in F1 the emphasis was on racing: an exciting display of driving skills on a challenging circuit
We didn't get any of that in Las Vegas!

 

I'm a club Racer at the highest amateur level one step under low level pro racing. All I can say is maybe you were not there. It was as good as any F1 race and you got the Vegas spectacle. Haters going to hate that's fine. Save your F1 money for any of the other 20 races. There is something for everyone.

 

Haters gonna hate lol. Typical.

No hate. The general direction of F1 involves less racing at true circuits. As good as any other F1 race - is not stating anything amazing currently at all. The best race was actually the 1 race RedBull lost. Period lol.

 

I have been following F1 since 1961, and among other series, attended many GP in Europe over the years. Now I wouldn't spend a penny to attend any GP. I stopped attending GPs 20 years ago, when they became money machine and the formula became unattractive.
Following them on TV is enough for me. I find street races are a big let down for F1, compared to permanent circuits.
Las Vegas, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Jeddah, they all look the same and are totally featureless.
If I want to see the Vegas spectacle., then I'll go there, but not to watch motor racing.
Liberty is completely changing F1, and not for the best, I think.

 

Well street circuits are just different...a different kind of challenge. I do not think a permanent track is better. As much as I love to race at CoTA the track limits thing allows driver to push harder with less risk than they would at say WGI where there is blue armco everywhere much like a street circuit. Considering what a street circuit is like with minimal to no runoff I don't see why WGI comes back. "Featureless" is a feature. If you are doing a trackday in a street car yeah a boring track can put you to sleep. I actually don't find any track so stimulating I just want to drive it and I'm regularly racing tracks anywhere in the Country. Racers don't race tracks they race each other. The track, tire choice etc. are just part of the chess game. We aren't going back to 1960 when real men competed and died for the sport. Racing is so safe today that even I can do it. Oh...and I'm a man I'd like the grid girls to come back too.

 

Again Vegas is just the top of the pyramid for 'event' F1 not focused on racing, F1. Toss in absurd prices for less than good seats lol. Value for money for people interested in F1 who do not = luxury is gone. Toss in less than compelling racing etc etc. Avoiding refunds for issues caused by the Liberty itself as in Practice in Vegas etc, Spa debacle and no refund or respect for fans. Why would I ever point good money for a luxury experience when I can do sooooooo much more with that resource. Sorry but Tv for F1 is very much how I attend now. Liberty has made it easy to adjust to that. Suckers can toss their money away when the focus is not where it should be. Whats appalling is that circuits host teams on a limited budget and treat fans as if they have no limit to sit and view 1/500th ofthe circuit.

It simply doesnt add up any further. Affordability is not my issue, its the direction of the sport and the lack of respect for fans and a ****e formula/sprint garbage and a budget limit THAT ENSURES a lack of competition. NO thanks to attend in person. If I did go to a circuit again I can list 5 worth attending if that. None are in a city on a public street.

 

I was talking from a follower/spectator point of view. I don't find races on street circuits interesting to watch.
Give me Spa, Laguna Seca, the old Hockenheim, the Nurburgring, Silverstone, Monza Suzuka, or Imola any day.

Also, I doubt that most street circuits will surmount the test of time. In many place they become a burden after a few years and the locals get vocal, asking for their termination. There are good reasons to keep permanent circuits in the middle of nowhere where they aren't a nuisance. Just my opinion.

 

For me, it's not a matter of affordability that keeps me away from attending F1.
It's that sacro-saint issue of Value for Money, and what I get for my £s.
F1 is grossly overpriced and fails badly in the sector.

 

I liked Vegas F1 from a spectator on TV point of view. A few hiccups and bumps along the way but it all got rectified. Next year should be smooth sailing for Vegas. That move Leclerc put on Perez on the last lap at the end of the straight was just spectacu-freakin-lur.

 

Totally Agree!

 

So, if you don't like street circuits and tourist traps, don't go.

I don't understand the hyperbole, especially from folks who claim that they're essentially disengaged from F1 anyway.

Let those who enjoy the spectacle have their fun -- how are they hurting you?

 

We are exchanging opinions here, no more. We have different points of view and expectations, which is normal I think.
Las Vegas and other street circuits have no interest for me; but if some people like them, it's OK with me.
Liberty is looking for a different audience, I feel, and don't mind to lose those who followed F1 for several decades already.
Not a problem: people can vote with their feet.
There are still plenty of series I can attend without being mugged at the gate or subjected to celebrities.
Different strokes for different folks !!