Lewis Hamilton has called on members of the F1 community present in Las Vegas to be “respectful of locals” following the significant disruption that the race has caused in the city.
Formula 1’s estimated $500 million investment in this weekend’s event is projected to generate significant economic benefits for the city for years to come.
But setting up shop in the entertainment capital of the world has inevitably brought a wave of disruptions to residents, businesses, and daily life in Las Vegas.
The construction process has led to road closures, traffic congestion, and noise pollution, disrupting commutes and daily routines, while local businesses have been affected by reduced foot traffic and parking restrictions.
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With complaints piling up at City Hall in the last nine months, Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei felt compelled to apologize to the city’s residents ahead of this weekend’s racing extravaganza.
“I want to apologise to all the Las Vegas residents and we appreciate that they have their forbearance and their willingness to tolerate us,” said Maffei before emphasizing the positive effects of F1’s presence.
“We’re going to bring something like $1.7bn of revenue to the area. So it’s not just for the benefit of fans who want to view. We hope this is a great economic benefit in Las Vegas.
“We hope this is the most difficult year with all the construction that went on and things will be easier in the future.”
Speaking at an AMG x IWC event in Vegas on Tuesday, Hamilton reached out to the F1 community after learning about the local residents’ grievances.
“I’ve heard there’s been a lot of complaints about the event being here and I think we have to be respectful of the locals here,” said the Mercedes driver and seven-time F1 world champion.
“There’s so many here, working so hard, there’s a lot of money and wealth in this city, and also the places we’re going, in this industry.
“We’ve got to make sure that people are taken care of, I think. We can’t be a circus that shows up that’s all glitz and glamour, and people are affected negatively by it.”
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