Vegas wants permanent spot on F1 calendar: 'Want to be here forever'

Organisers of the Las Vegas Grand Prix want the circuit to be on the Formula One calendar for a longer period of time. That reports Motorsportweek.com. The organisers would like a longer contract than what is currently on the table.

Next year will see the first race on Las Vegas' new street circuit. It will then be the third race in the United States, alongside races in Miami and Austin. The circuit has basically signed a three-year deal with Formula 1. But according to the organisation, that is not enough.

Emily Prazer, the Chief Commercial Officer of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, wants the circuit to become a permanent part of the Formula One calendar. At a recent event, she had said, "From our point of view, we purchased a piece of land with the intention of having a race here. I don’t think there’s any intention to only be here for three years. We want to be here for forever."

Race requires significant financial investment

Although the venue in downtown Las Vegas is unique and iconic, the event has had its fair share of start-up problems. Prazer acknowledged at the same event that the organisers underestimated how many people need to use that area during and around the race. That is partly why she hopes the circuit will be used for longer, as the event involves a significant investment in the city's infrastructure. And that is not the only cost of the race: the purchase of the territory alone cost $240 million.