Formula One fans can rejoice as the Las Vegas Grand Prix will continue to thrill the spectators for the next three years. The Clark County officials have decided to approve the use of public right-of-way for the street circuit race, despite some concerns over its impact on the local businesses and traffic.
Formula One returns to Sin City
The Las Vegas Grand Prix made its debut in November 2023, attracting over 200,000 visitors and generating an estimated $200 million in economic impact for the city. The race was part of a three-year deal between Formula One and the Las Vegas Grand Prix Corporation, a private entity that organizes and funds the event.
The race was held on a 3.8-mile street circuit that included parts of Las Vegas Boulevard, Koval Lane, Harmon Avenue, and Sands Avenue. The circuit also featured a temporary bridge over Flamingo Road to allow traffic to flow to and from the Strip when the race was on.
The race was won by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who beat Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton by 0.6 seconds in a thrilling finish. The race was hailed as a success by Formula One officials, who praised the city’s hospitality and enthusiasm.
Clark County gives its nod
However, the race also faced some challenges from the Clark County officials, who had not signed a formal agreement with Formula One or the Las Vegas Grand Prix Corporation. The county had only authorized the use of public right-of-way for the 2023 race, and had not committed to the next two years.
Some county commissioners, such as Tick Segerblom, expressed doubts over the county’s role and responsibility in facilitating the race, especially in terms of the costs and benefits involved. Segerblom also questioned the impact of the race on the nearby businesses, some of whom claimed to have lost millions in revenue due to the infrastructure work and road closures.
The county had planned to discuss its role in the race at its meeting on Tuesday, but the item was removed from the agenda and postponed to a later date. However, on Wednesday, the county spokeswoman Jennifer Cooper announced that the county had decided to move forward with the race for the next three years, as long as the board reserves and authorizes the use of public right-of-way.
Cooper said that the decision was reflective of the discussions that took place on Wednesday, and that the county manager would conduct a public debrief to identify a better structure for facilitating the race, involving the county departments, regional entities, and race organizers. Cooper also said that the county and the race officials were working on a plan to minimize the impact of the temporary bridge, which would be needed again for the 2024 race.
Las Vegas Grand Prix welcomes the decision
The Las Vegas Grand Prix Corporation welcomed the county’s decision and thanked the commissioners for their support. The corporation’s CEO, Jim Michaelian, said that he was delighted to continue the partnership with the county and the city, and that he was looking forward to delivering another world-class event in November.
Michaelian also said that the corporation had learned a lot from the 2023 race, and that it was working to improve the operational efficiency and the fan experience for the 2024 race. He said that the corporation expected to reduce the setup and teardown time for the circuit from nine months to three months, and that it would also enhance the communication and coordination with the local stakeholders.
Michaelian also said that the corporation was confident that the Las Vegas Grand Prix would become one of the most popular and prestigious races on the Formula One calendar, and that it would showcase the city’s unique attractions and entertainment to a global audience.
The 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix is scheduled for November 21-23, and will be the penultimate race of the Formula One season. The tickets for the race will go on sale in March, and the fans can expect to see some of the best drivers and teams in the world competing on the spectacular street circuit.
