Yahoo Autos Local Politician says 2024 F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix Better Change Its Ways
Clark County (Nev.) government officials may not be listed on any of the contracts between the FIA, Formula 1, and Las Vegas Grand Prix race organizers, but they just may hold the key to the future of the event.
This past week, Clark County commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick said that things must be better in Year 2 than they were last year... or there might not be a Year 3 of the Formula 1 race on the Las Vegas Strip.
Kirkpatrick is acting as the voice of the local residents and workers on the Strip, many of whom were inconvenienced by re-routed traffic and construction along the circuit—problems faced by any city that hosts a major race in a business district.
Kirkpatrick put it all on the line in an interview with FOX5 TV in Las Vegas this week:
"We don’t have a choice but to do better than last time. That includes everybody. That’s visitors being able to move around. That’s our constituents who have to work on the Strip to get around.
"There’s an expectation, at least from me, that there’s going to be a lot more buy-in from the community.
"There’s got to be an expectation that our employees will be able to get to and from very easily. There’s an expectation that businesses can survive and stay open and know how to navigate. What I will tell you is, yes, we do have the traffic plan, it is under review. Already, I think that it looks much better. It takes a little while longer to go through it because we want to be thorough on our first review so we can get comments back.
"I’m hopeful."
Formula 1 has a reported deal with the Las Vegas Convention and Business Authority to hold three F1 races on the Strip. While that deal is set to expire after the 2025 race, there have been reports that there is the framework of an agreement the would extend the deal for another decade.
As for this year's race, it could be a matter of make the proper changes or don't come back.
"I think we’re pretty steadfast," Kirkpatrick said. "The commission has been very clear, 'you will do it a certain way, or there won’t be a third time.' But at the same time, they will hold up your permits and make it very uncomfortable for your guests."
This year's F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix is set for Saturday, Nov. 19. Once again the start time for the race will be 10 p.m. local time (1 a.m. ET).
