Las Vegas celebrates topping out milestone for paddock building

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The promoters of the Las Vegas Grand Prix completed this week a topping out ceremony for the venue's massive paddock complex in the presence of Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei and F1 boss Stefano Domenicali.

Construction of the 300,000-square-foot paddock structure - the largest of any F1 circuit - is scheduled to be completed a month before next November's event.

F1’s commercial right holder Liberty Media is spending about $500 million on the paddock site, with the building and land purchase included.

The impressive paddock complex will be the venue's only permanent structure, with everything else erected around the future seventeen-corner 6.12 km track being temporary.

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.