Formula 1 has officially confirmed the absence of a sprint race during the highly anticipated Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend, attributing this decision to the intricate challenges associated with organizing such an event. Emily Prazer, the chief operating officer of Formula 1, emphasized that “there is so much more” unfolding in Las Vegas, indicating that the addition of a Saturday race could complicate event management, especially considering the race’s prime location along the famously vibrant Vegas Strip.
In contrast, the other two Grand Prix circuits in the United States, Miami and Austin, currently entertain sprint races. However, since Las Vegas marks a significant departure from these venues as it is the first race to be entirely overseen by Formula 1, the organization has opted not to include a sprint in their schedule.
A short sprint race could undeniably inject additional excitement into the race weekend. However, with last year’s Las Vegas street circuit setting new records with a staggering 99 overtakes, the upcoming Sunday Grand Prix is set to deliver its own thrilling spectacle. This is particularly significant given the intensely competitive F1 grid this season and the fierce championship battle raging between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, with only three races remaining. Addressing the decision to eliminate the sprint race and articulating the uniqueness of the Las Vegas GP circuit in comparison to its counterparts, Prazer noted:
“I think we’re quite comfortable letting Austin and Miami keep the sprint, because we’ve got so much more happening anyway and we’re in a really good place.
“We’re adding support races and hope to continue doing that over the next few years. I don’t think people understand the complexity of this race versus other street races, either, and I do think that the reality is that we are opening and closing that track.
“We have around 46 track openings that people don’t realise the complexity of that versus any other grand prix. I think adding a sprint would also create a nervousness of ‘can we fix the track if something was to happen fast enough?’
“The complexity of Vegas versus even Singapore – I was in Singapore at the race and chatting to the promoter and they were like, ‘we don’t understand how you open and close the track the way you do’.
“They keep the roads closed for seven days. Can you imagine us and the council keeping the roads closed for seven days? It would just literally never happen, ever.”
In suggesting that the Las Vegas GP inherently possesses the exhilaration akin to a sprint race, she elaborated:
“The race in itself essentially feels like a sprint race.
“So if you think about the speed you’re going, from a safety standpoint, how fast is that to how quick the track is, there wouldn’t be too much difference between the actual race and the sprint based on the performance from last year, we did look at it.”
**Interview with Emily Prazer, Chief Operating Officer of Formula 1**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Emily. Formula 1 recently announced that there will be no sprint race during the Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend. Can you elaborate on the reasoning behind this decision?
**Emily Prazer:** Absolutely, and thank you for having me. The decision not to include a sprint race in Las Vegas was a complex one. While we understand that many fans enjoy the excitement that sprint races bring, we felt that the unique challenges of organizing such a high-profile event on the Vegas Strip made it more prudent to focus on our main Grand Prix. There’s so much more happening throughout the weekend, and adding a Saturday race could complicate our logistics significantly.
**Interviewer:** It’s clear that Las Vegas presents distinct challenges compared to other venues like Miami and Austin, which host sprint races. What sets Las Vegas apart in this regard?
**Emily Prazer:** Las Vegas is a major departure for us as it’s the first race we are managing entirely in-house. The vibrant atmosphere of the Strip means we’re accommodating a variety of factors including traffic, fan engagement, and entertainment. We want to ensure everything flows seamlessly, and our priority is to deliver an outstanding Sunday Grand Prix experience that fans will remember.
**Interviewer:** While there won’t be a sprint race, last year’s event showcased an incredible 99 overtakes. What can fans expect from this year’s Grand Prix in terms of excitement?
**Emily Prazer:** We anticipate another thrilling race! The competitive nature of this season, coupled with the high-speed layout of the Las Vegas street circuit, promises to deliver captivating action. With so much talent on the grid this year, I have no doubt that fans will be treated to a spectacular show on Sunday.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Emily. It’s clear that while sprint races can add excitement, the focus remains on delivering a memorable Grand Prix experience.
**Emily Prazer:** Thank you! We’re looking forward to what will surely be an unforgettable weekend in Las Vegas.
