Residents endure months of disruption, gridlock, and inconvenience for a fleeting three-day race, questioning the true payoff of the Vegas Grand Prix.
Las Vegas Preparations
As the city gears up for another year of Formula 1 festivities, many Las Vegas residents say the weeks long construction and preparation for the Grand Prix track have brought more inconvenience than excitement for the residents.
How The Residents Feel
Clark County officials and Formula One organizers emphasized the economic benefits, citing millions in revenue and global attention to the city. But for many residents, the payoff feels more distant than it is. They argue they shoulder the daily burden while event profits largely benefit casinos, tourism sectors, and international stakeholders. Community frustration has grown enough that local leaders have pushed for improved planning. This year, officials promised shorter construction timelines and better communication. Las Vegas residents say they’re still seeing months of preparation for a three day event.
Construction Woes, Gridlock
Since early fall, construction crews have been repaving major roadways to fix any potholes and make the roads safer for the drivers, installing grandstands, assembling miles of safety barriers, and temporarily closing lanes across the Strip, Koval Lane, and Harmon Avenue. For residents who rely on these corridors to commute, work, or travel between neighborhoods, it has created a sense of constant gridlock.
Even after the race ends, dismantling the massive setup can take weeks which means a large portion of the city’s core remains in disruption for nearly a quarter of the year. So, although F1 Las Vegas brings in lots of money, it brings in even more chaos to the entertainment capitol of the world.
F1 Las Vegas for the Rest of the World
Besides the complaints of the Las Vegas residents, there have been complaints from F1 fans around the world. Formula One is the biggest motorsport in Europe. When Las Vegas was announced to be on upcoming F1 calendars, many European fans expressed their disappointment when a third United States Grand Prix location was announced.
Dedicated European F1 fans have to wake up very early or stay up very late to watch the American races, which is why the Las Vegas Grand Prix takes place at a much later time, adjusting in a way that makes it a bit more convenient for European F1 fans.
Viva Las Vegas
Its soon to be Lights Out for the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix! With now drier conditions, and a championship battle up ahead with Verstappen and Norris next to each other for lights out, it's definitely going to be a wild race to watch! Feel free to comment your predictions and opinions down below!