Over the past several years, the rise of Las Vegas in the greater American sports landscape has happened alongside a rise in popularity for Formula 1 in the United States. And the two's concurrent rise may very well soon converge in an opportunity to bring Grand Prix racing to Sin City and make it a major part of the F1 schedule.
According to a report by Mick Akers of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, there is a "very real" prospect of Formula 1 hosting a race on the city's famous Strip, with a theoretical street course starting at the Bellagio near Flamingo Road and heading north. Should the race and its course become a reality, a source told the Review-Journal that F1 in Las Vegas could become the series' flagship event in the United States.
Talks between the city and F1 have allegedly been occurring for the past six months. An F1 spokesman declined comment to the Review-Journal.
The arrival of F1 in Las Vegas would actually mark its return to the city for the first time in 40 years. In 1981 and 1982, the Caesars Palace Grand Prix was part of the Formula 1 World Championship, with the course set up in the parking lot of the famed Caesars Palace hotel. The races were won by Alan Jones and Michele Alboreto, but the Grand Prix was dropped from the schedule after two years due to attendance issues.
It remains to be seen how a Grand Prix in Las Vegas would fit into the ever-growing footprint of Formula 1 in the United States, as the U.S. will host two races during the 2022 season. The Formula 1 World Championship will visit Miami for the city's inaugural Grand Prix in May, and then later return for the annual United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas in October.
