Last month, F1 announced the return of Las Vegas to the calendar for 2023, on an urban circuit winding through casinos and taking part of the famous Strip. The three-year contract will see the Grand Prix take place at night on Saturday evening. This will be the third race in the United States, in addition to Miami and Austin.
Because of this, the country will host more Grands Prix than any other country in 2023, each in a different time zone. Starting at 10:00 p.m. (local time), the Las Vegas Grand Prix will take place during prime time in the United States, while Europeans can watch the race early on Sunday morning.
According to Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali, this addition is wrong “dilute” the American market. The Italian believes each round will appeal to a slightly different audience. “No dilution, it’s added value for everyone, since we reach different targets in terms of demographics and location”he explains. “The beauty of the growth of our sport in this country is that we are reaching a lot of young people who are starting to get interested in our sport. We have seen it with our own eyes, they are very young. They have the opportunity to share who they are through social media, and promote our sport. Thanks to them, I think there will be a good connection to develop the sport in the right dimension, with the right ideas.”
Miami prepares for F1
Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei believes the three US Grands Prix will not only complement each other, but also generate an international following. “One of the special things regarding F1 is its global nature”and of Maffei “The audience that Miami will generate will be international, just like Austin’s already is. I’m very positive that the audience in Las Vegas will also be global, that this race will not just reach an American target.”
Last year, the United States Grand Prix in Austin drew 400,000 spectators over the whole weekend, proving that the sport is experiencing strong growth in the country, a few years following the difficulties encountered to establish there. Miami is hosting its first Grand Prix this year, while Austin has extended its contract for ten years ahead of the start of the 2022 season.
“When you think back to three years ago, it was difficult to sell all the places for a Grand Prix. Today we are in a situation where we are going to have two sold-out races”rejoices Domenicali. “It gives you an idea of what the United States is going to mean for F1. We feel the vibe, it’s something that has to belong to this country. It’s a big opportunity.”
“When you think regarding the fact that we will have three races in the United States next year, if we remember where we were a few years ago, you would have said that we are crazy. We are focused on making sure that it is one of the most important markets for F1, not forgetting that we were obviously born in Europe, and that we are a global sport, it is our dimension, and we will remain as is in this respect. “
