Circuits

Ecclestone dampens hopes of Las Vegas F1 race

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone admits to “struggling a little bit” to have the sport return to Las Vegas in the near future.

Sin City already welcomed Formula One at the end of the 1981 and 1982 seasons, with the Caesar's Palace Grand Prix serving as the title showdown on both occasions. Teams and drivers were not overly enthusiastic about the venue, which was laid out on the parking lot of the world-famous luxury and casino.

Ecclestone has always been willing to have more races in the US, and this despite Austin barely making it to the calendar this and recent plans of a New York event quickly fizzling out. The 85-year-old previously said the Vegas organisers had a contract but “the trouble is the pen”.

Speaking to reporters at the Russian Grand Prix, Ecclestone admitted little progress had been made on that matter.

"We are struggling a little bit, yes,” said Ecclestone. "I want to make sure we are on The Strip, so when people turn their television on, they immediately know it is Vegas.”

The F1 boss added that should the Vegal deal fall through, there was no shortage of candidates stateside.

"We missed out a little bit of New York, but lots of places are talking about it.”

Ecclestone said last year he was keen to see a grand prix taking place in Southern California.

FEATURE: Hamilton, or when a picture is not worth so many words

DRIVER RATINGS: Russian Grand Prix

Breakfast with ... Martin Brundle

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Julien Billiotte

Recent Posts

Norris labels McLaren long-run pace ‘shocking’ in chilly Vegas

Lando Norris didn’t hold back in his assessment of McLaren’s performance on the opening day…

11 mins ago

Hamilton delighted with ‘consistently strong day’ in Vegas

Lewis Hamilton was particularly happy with his opening day of running at the Las Vegas…

2 hours ago

Verstappen stuck with 'draggy' rear wing for Vegas

Red Bull fears that its prospects for this weekend's Las Vegas Grand Prix - which…

2 hours ago

Ferrari and Mercedes admit to plank changes based on FIA’s TD

Ferrari and Mercedes have both modified their car’s floor element in Las Vegas to comply…

3 hours ago

Las Vegas GP: Hamilton continues on top in second practice

Lewis Hamilton put Mercedes on top of the timesheets for the second time in Las…

4 hours ago

2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix Free Practice 2 - Results

Full results from Free Practice 2 for the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas,…

4 hours ago