Las Vegas in line to join F1 schedule as soon as 2023

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Formula 1 is inching closer to securing a third race in the United States, with commercial rights holder Liberty Media reportedly set to add Las Vegas to its schedule, perhaps as soon as 2023.

Discussions between F1 and representatives in Las Vegas have ramped up recently according to a report from Sportsbusinessjournal.com, with the sport's executives visiting the city several times in the past few months and meeting with Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak as well as with various businesses located on Vegas' famous Strip.

No potential street circuit layout has yet been whipped up, but it appears that cars would race along a portion of the city's glittering Strip in the vicinity of the Bellagio and Wynn Las Vegas hotel complexes.

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Also, no promoter for the event has so far been designated.

A Las Vegas Grand Prix, which would sit alongside Austin and Miami on F1's calendar, would mark a return to Sin City for the sport which twice raced in the gambling capital of the world, in 1981 and 82.

©TheCahierArchive

Back then, local promoters, backed by Bernie Ecclestone, had drummed up the absurd idea of racing around the Caesar's Palace parking lot as a way of tapping a new market.

Fourteen corners and cement walls lining the layout were the track's only claim to character.

Williams' Alan Jones and Tyrrell's Michele Alboreto were the emperors of the two events. But given the small attendance on both occasions, what happened in Vegas did indeed stay in Vegas back then as the ill-fated race disappeared from F1's calendar.

As a reminder, teams will enjoy their first US race of 2022 on May 8, with Miami's big F1 premiere, and their second display on October 23 at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin.

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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.