Las Vegas put through the wringer: 'Has nothing to do with Formula One'

The Formula 1 paddock and Liberty Media have been looking forward to it all season: the Las Vegas Grand Prix. In a week and a half, it will finally be here and the bustling American city will be the location of the F1 circus for a few days. Someone who is a lot less enthusiastic is Bernie Ecclestone.

In Las Vegas on Saturday night (Sunday morning European time), the drivers will drive down The Strip 50 times. The circuit is about six kilometres, with three straights and 'only' 14 turns. The big question is whether the planned spectacle will actually be a spectacle.

Racing through the streets of Las Vegas sounds great fun, of course, and it will undoubtedly make for great visuals, but how good will the racing be? There will be virtually no grip - especially at the beginning of the weekend - and will the track be suitable for this generation of F1 cars?

Ecclestone critical

Ecclestone has already given his verdict to NOS: "I'm not really looking forward to it. Why not? It has nothing to do with Formula 1." According to the former F1 owner, the choice of Las Vegas as an additional Grand Prix on the calendar does not put racing at the centre of the event.

Incidentally, during the Ecclestone era, Las Vegas was visited twice. As such, the city does not make its debut. In 1981 and 1982, the event was held at Caesars Palace, but after two editions, Formula 1 had seen enough and did not return.