Why F1’s Vegas gamble is set to defy its critics

I don’t often go hunting for motorsport films on long-haul flights but made an exception back in September when I noticed British Airways was showing Monaco Grand Prix: The Legend, the 2019 documentary directed by Franck Florino and written by Yann-Antony Noghes.

It was Noghes’ grandfather Antony who founded the Monaco Grand Prix in 1929 and the documentary, narrated by Prince Albert, tells the story of how the race was conceived and funded. Ultimately it fell to Rene Leon of the Societe des Bains de Mer, manager of the principality’s major hotels and the Monte Carlo Casino, to come up with the money needed to transform the city streets into a race track.

I was watching this while flying to Formula 1’s latest addition to the calendar, Las Vegas. Another seemingly unlikely street circuit, yet one which will also wind its way between the hotels and casinos which are the economic driving force behind Sin City. The following morning I walked the circuit in searing heat, all 3.85 miles of it, and was left to ponder at yet another example of how Formula 1 has been transformed under Liberty Media.

Park your preconceptions, bury your biases and open your minds. I say that because I was more than sceptical about the prospect of yet another addition to the burgeoning F1 schedule when the event was confirmed last year.

My worst suspicions were that this would be a tacky, cynical add-on with revenue the only goal and the racing relegated in importance. The evidence on the ground says otherwise.

PLUS: The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off

Yes, the tickets are super-expensive, but no one goes to Vegas to save money. The investment made by F1 is huge: Liberty’s CEO Greg Maffei explained to Wall Street analysts that the capital expenditure on the permanent paddock building, race headquarters and track will reach £330 million.

Photo by: Jim Utter

Recent images from the Las Vegas F1 circuit being brought to life

The new buildings, pitlane complex and start-finish straight are situated on a 40-acre site acquired by F1 last year. This includes the main grandstand complex which winds its way through Turns 1 through 4 before heading straight down Koval Lane and into the sequence of five corners which will take the drivers around the stunning Sphere.

If you haven’t already seen it on social media, check it out. The Sphere is something special. The world’s largest spherical building, an 18,600 seat capacity venue wrapped in over half a million square feet of programmable lighting, it has cost £1.9 billion.

Whether Max, Lewis or Fernando will be able to keep their eyes on the track while navigating it remains to be seen, but there is no question the Sphere will provide a photogenic backdrop late on a Saturday night.

Bernie Ecclestone had the right idea but was ahead of his time. It’s taken Liberty Media to create a Las Vegas Grand Prix worthy of the name

If this all sounds like a distraction from the racing, fear not, for the super-smooth circuit curves its way around to Las Vegas Boulevard, the famous Strip, which is long and quick, widening at its end, a likely overtaking opportunity as it turns left into East Harmon Avenue. The Treasure Island, Venetian, Flamingo and Bellagio casinos will flash by.

So too will Caesars Palace, scene of the 1981 and 1982 GPs which were held in its car park and generally unloved by all who visited. As has often been the case, Bernie Ecclestone had the right idea but was ahead of his time. It’s taken Liberty Media to create a Las Vegas Grand Prix worthy of the name.

I cannot wait to watch it.

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

F1 enters a brave new world with its Las Vegas GP next month