Tilke admits facing big challenges designing Las Vegas F1 track

Formula 1's resident architects Hermann and Carsten Tilke admit that setting up Las Vegas' street circuit without disrupting life around Sin City's array of bordering hotels is biggest challenge facing the renowned track designers.

Formula 1's growing popularity in America has compelled the sport's chiefs to add a third race in the U.S. from next season, with Las Vegas playing host to the glitzy event.

But setting up shop in the gambling capital of the world was always going to involve a track part-located on the city's world-famous neon strip.

Laying out the 6.12km, 14-turn street circuit in the heart of downtown Las Vegas was on paper a relatively easy task.

But bringing the venue to life as it winds past iconic locations like Caesars Palace, the Bellagio and the Venetian, without interrupting the flow of visitors to and from those landmarks is a daunting assignment for Tilke's father and son team.

"In Las Vegas, the biggest hotels in the world are in the middle of the circuit," explained Carsten Tilke in an interview with Motorsport.com.

"We have The Venetian with more than 6,000 beds and next to it is the fourth largest hotel (The Wynn). There are so many hotel rooms inside and around the circuit.

"Also, with Las Vegas Boulevard, we have one of the liveliest streets in the world. We need to get in the way of the casinos, restaurants and shops as little as possible.

"With the build-up, this requires some organisation. This all has to go smoothly. That is the biggest challenge there. We have less time than usual, so everything has to be right at once.

"People should not feel compromised by the race. It has to be an addition, an extra big show.

"I think everyone would like to be there. Many people are already calling me asking if I can arrange a hotel room!

"The key is to make sure everything goes smoothly and that later nobody complains ‘oh, I didn’t get through because everything was closed [off]’. It’s a huge challenge."

• Read also: F1 hits the jackpot with Vegas GP launch party

Hermann Tilke, Carsten's father, says a street circuit – let alone one laid out in Las Vegas – is always a challenging proposition.

"Street circuits are always tricky, there are many things to consider," explained the German.

"First of all, it is important for people to get to their houses, so you can’t just close a part of the city.

"You need a bridge for cars to the inner part of the track, because of course there could be an emergency.

"If someone needs an ambulance, they should be able to get there without stopping the race."

©Mercedes

Formula 1 held a launch party last Saturday in Vegas that was attended by Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, and Red Bull's Sergio Perez.

If all goes to plan, Hamilton believes the race in Sin City could become "the best race of all time".

"I’m so excited to be in Vegas," said the seven-time F1 world champion.

"Just driving down that strip, watching movies like so many of you have seen [set] in Vegas, the lights… this race could for sure be the best race of all time."

Russell expressed some reservations about the pleasure drivers may derive from the track, but the Briton believes the race should prove a big hit with F1 fans.

"I think it’s super exciting, this race," he said. "It’s wild already. This time next year is going to be crazy. I can’t wait for it.

"I don’t think this is going to be the most exciting one to drive, but for you guys watching, I feel like this race is designed for good racing, for overtakes and entertainment."

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