Domenicali praises the Las Vegas show: “It was the best GP, the goal is to stay long-term”
The head of the Formula 1 circus is fully satisfied with the work carried out by Liberty Media, now at its third outing also acting as the promoter of a Grand Prix. The Las Vegas weekend marked the third time in history that Formula 1 organized its own event without relying on intermediaries or external promoters. After facing several issues in 2023, the debut year on the calendar, this year’s edition remained as extravagant and explosive as ever, yet managed to solve many of the early growing pains.
This is at least the assessment of Stefano Domenicali, president and CEO of Formula 1, who praised the spectacle delivered both on and off the track along the Strip. The event unfolded smoothly despite the precautionary interruption of FP2 and the rain that affected FP3 and the spectacular qualifying session.
Domenicali promotes the F1 show on the Strip
“We have been racing in Las Vegas for three years now,” Stefano Domenicali explained to the French newspaper L’Equipe, “and this year was the best. It is a fantastic city, an incredible street circuit, and we witnessed an exceptional weekend of events. After the race we will analyse everything once again to discuss what worked and what we can still improve, and we will certainly act on those points. There is always something more that can be done…”
He also commented on the start times, which were moved earlier in order to avoid running too late at night. Drivers started at 20:00 local time instead of 22:00, a change designed to make the event more accessible for East Coast viewers in the United States, who saw lights out at 23:00. The downside was a very early wake-up call for European fans at 05:00. “We must remember that Las Vegas is the world capital of entertainment and hosts major sports and entertainment events all year round. I don’t see the schedule as a problem. We need to be strategic and ensure we have a plan that works for the city, for our fans in the U.S., and for fans everywhere. The start was at 23:00 on the East Coast, on a Saturday night, and that is still two hours earlier compared to the 2023 and 2024 editions.” – the Italian manager pointed out.
A packed calendar
Stefano Domenicali then addressed the demanding Formula 1 calendar, which will see the paddock travel to Qatar and then to Abu Dhabi for the final two rounds of the season. “I don’t think the teams are critical of us. Of course, the end of the championship is demanding, but the teams are full of incredible professionals who love what they do and who give their maximum commitment. There are other sports with 80 or 100 events per season, while we have 24 races, and travelling while discovering amazing places is part of the game, given that ours is a global sport. We dedicate a lot of attention and planning to the Formula 1 calendar, with a particular focus on geographic considerations to support our sustainability objectives.”
He also commented on the future of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, whose current contract expires in 2027: “The future of Las Vegas? We intend to stay here long-term, and you can see that from the investments we have made. Las Vegas is only at the beginning, so it requires a bit of patience,” concluded Formula 1’s top boss, Stefano Domenicali.
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