The return of F1 to the Las Vegas circuit has not been well received by everyone. Traders with businesses near the Strip, especially on Flamingo Road, had initiated a protest against the organizers. The accusation is that they lost millions of dollars due to the Grand Prix as people were unable to reach the establishments. The complaint has been successful, and now Formula 1 will proceed to dismantle the temporary infrastructure, especially the bridge over Flamingo Road.
$23 Million in Losses
To better prepare for the weekend, Formula 1 created a series of infrastructures to facilitate better management of the Grand Prix. However, the construction sites for these works made some roads inaccessible, causing inconvenience to all business owners around the Strip. Several areas were blocked to enable the race to take place. At the center of the controversy was the bridge built between Flamingo Road and Koval Lane.
The bridge would have created immense traffic, preventing customers from reaching various establishments. All of this would have translated into an overall loss for the operators amounting to $23 million. Many business owners testified to never having recorded such significant losses and cancellations before F1 visited the Las Vegas circuit.
For this reason, they decided to send protest letters, threatening legal action, to the Clark County Commission and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority to have the bridge removed. The goal is to return to normal conditions by the Super Bowl weekend, a real gold mine for all city businesses since the event will take place in Nevada.
Show your support for Scuderia Ferrari with official merchandise collection! Click here to enter the F1 online Store and shop securely! And also get your F1 tickets for every race with VIP hospitality and unparalleled insider access. Click here for the best offers to support Charles and Carlos from the track!
The initial plan was to keep the bridge active even after the Super Bowl, and there were rumors it might even become permanent. This will not be the case, and naturally, all traders celebrated the news of the demolition. For those running a business, maintaining accessibility for potential customers, especially during events of this magnitude, is vital. Formula 1 will undoubtedly have to consider something different for future editions of the Las Vegas Grand Prix. In the meantime, the demolition of the bridge has begun and should be completed by February 1.
Source: f1ingenerale
Leave a Reply