A Vegas Post Mortem

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Vincenzo

A Vegas Post Mortem

As Formula One's engines quieted after the checkered flag descended on the Las Vegas Grand Prix, one thing became clear: in the city that never sleeps, F1's bet paid off. Packed stands, a palpable electric ambiance, and a record attendance defy the skepticism shrouding the event's controversial lead-up, proving once again why Vegas is the ultimate showstopper.

A Full House in Sin City

The spectacle of speed and celebration brought a whopping 315,000 fans to Sin City, making the Vegas race the 7th most-attended this year. Even the least attended practice sessions outshone those at historical circuits like Monza, with the buzz carrying all the way to standing-room-only at the start-finish line.

But it wasn't all Vegas magic. Complaints of sky-high ticket prices, averaging $1,667 for a three-day pass, raised concerns. It seemed as though F1's pricing strategy was alienating the very soul of the sport—its fanbase, especially the locals who'd grudgingly endured endless months of road closures and disruptions. With prices soaring above those at classic European venues, the financial barriers might have transformed the stands into a gathering of corporate personas rather than die-hard fans.

The Glory and the Grit

The Las Vegas Grand Prix's litmus test lay in its ability to dazzle. And dazzle it did, thanks to a spirited overtake and a fierce battle for the lead that made even the purist of speed fanatics sit up and take notice. Here, Max Verstappen's earlier criticism of the event being too much 'show' melted away as he crossed the finish line first, offering an elated 'Viva Las Vegas' over the team radio.

Behind the glitz, however, was the less glamorous side of the event. From logistic nightmares to a water valve cover mishap halting the opening practice, the weekend had its share of hiccups. Fans were disappointed, and a compensation offer of a $200 merchandise voucher felt more like a token gesture than a genuine attempt to make amends.

A Groundbreaking Venue

While the race itself delivered, the infrastructure supporting it impressed just as much. F1's new permanent pit building is spectacular, resulting from a bold $240 million investment. Unlike any other in the F1 world, this hub boasted world-class amenities and provided an unmatched experience for teams and partners alike.

Liberty Media: Taking the Wheel

The weekend's success could be a testament to Liberty Media's vision for the sport. Under their leadership, F1 has seen a resurgence, spurring team financial viability and fan growth. Their gamble of half a billion dollars on the Las Vegas race might have been immoderate for some tastes, but it underscored their willingness to push boundaries and innovate vibrantly.

Despite the successes, top voices in the sport like Christian Horner and Toto Wolff still see room for improvement, suggesting adjustments to ease the strain on teams and staff. And as the dust settled, it became clear that for F1's return to Las Vegas next year, the aim would be to marry the heart-pounding track action with a fan experience accessible to all, not just the highest bidders.

The Verdict

Las Vegas and F1, coupled with speed and spectacle, showed potential for a long-term place in F1's glamorous calendar. The inaugural event set a precedent for a race that's as much about the racing as the razzle-dazzle. As F1 left Vegas, it rode high on the thrill of success but with a notepad full of lessons learned, ready to play an even stronger hand next year.

The Las Vegas Grand Prix has rolled the dice and won. But next year, it's not just about upping the stakes—it's about ensuring everyone, fan or resident, can feel the rush of Formula One's grand gamble in the neon desert.

Funniest Moments of the Weekend

What Comes Next?

In the latest episode of the VF1 Show, Vanessa and I talk about how F1 can utilize the pit-building they spent hundreds of millions of dollars on.

One aspect of F1 creating an American HQ in Las Vegas is utilizing this permanent building in the city and surrounding area.

In the podcast, I suggested the idea of an F1 Conference. Las Vegas is known for business conferences, expos, and showcases. It’s something that’s engrained in many of us business travelers: you’ll head to Vegas multiple times per year for a show or a conference.

Formula 1 is uniquely positioned to put on an event that covers a variety of topics that include:

• Leadership

• Business management

• Marketing

• Engineering

• Manufacturing

• Cyber security

• Innovation

• Politics

• Law

• STEM

As someone who has been to hundreds of conferences, the value of a show like this would be next level. There’s something for everyone, and having folks like Team Principals, engineers, and even drivers speak is a tremendous value add.

In addition to a conference, a full-on experience center, similar to what Porsche has in Atlanta, would be fun. With the amount of companies that go to Vegas for conferences, many of those companies spend money on off-site retreats for their teams. Headed out into the desert for an F1 experience would shoot to the top of many lists.

What I’m Watching

Brawn: The Impossible Formula 1 Story

Keanu Reeves and Disney nail this.

Keanu is an excellent host, acting as a catalyst to a story with enough drama that needs no exaggeration.

The story of how Ross Brawn, in 2009, competing in the most expensive and technologically advanced racing series, made the impossible happen; his understaffed, underfinanced, and independent team won the World Championship.

It's an absolute must-watch for any fan, new and old.

Support the newsletter by sharing this with at least one friend looking to stay current on what’s happening in Formula 1.

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