When referring to the word “paddock,” it typically denotes the area that houses teams, drivers, and media during a race weekend. However, just hours before the historic return of Formula 1 to Las Vegas, many in the United States have opted to use the term “pit building” instead of “paddock.” The reason dates back to a tragedy in 2017 when a man named Stephen Paddock killed 60 people and injured 867 during a shooting in the city of Nevada.
On the night of October 1, 2017, Stephen Craig Paddock, born on April 9, 1953, in Iowa, committed one of the most significant massacres in recent United States history, right in the city that will host the return of Formula 1 this weekend, Las Vegas.
In the midst of a country music festival on the famous strip, Paddock opened fire on a crowd of about 22,000 people, killing 60 and injuring around 867, with at least 413 sustaining gunshot wounds.
The then 60-year-old American later took his own life in a hotel room following the shooting. Initially, the attack was attributed to a possible terrorist motive. However, the police could not confirm the motive 100%.
For this reason and out of respect for the victims, some American media outlets have decided not to use the word “paddock” to show sensitivity towards the families affected by the tragedy.
At the moment, neither Formula 1 nor the FIA has officially taken a position on this matter, but it is conceivable that throughout the weekend, we will hear “pit building” instead of the classic expression.
Source: f1ingenerale
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