Formula 1 is lowering the fees many say it is attempting to strong-arm from clubs and restaurants with a view of the Las Vegas Grand Prix track. As previously reported, F1 had been demanding $1,500 per head according to maximum fire-code occupancy. Venues that didn’t comply could have their views blocked by barricades and other obstructions — including lights shined directly into their windows.
A rendering of the Las Vegas Grand Prix circuit. More than 300,000 people are expected to flock into town for the race and preliminary activities from Nov. 16-18. (Image: Formula 1)
Now, however, viewing fees — which could have totaled $3 million for a 2,000-capacity venue — were lowered to a flat amount somewhere around $50,000 per venue. This is according to a report published Monday, Aug. 21, in the New York Post that quotes unnamed insiders.
While F1 — owned by billionaire John Malone’s Liberty Media — has gotten away with similar viewing fees at its other street course locales, such as Monaco, it blinked when faced with powerful pushback from Sin City’s nightclub conglomerates.
“There is a certain line they are crossing [by] telling someone who has spent billions on their property that you are shutting the Strip down for construction and then asking them to pay for seats,” a source told the Post last month.
In addition to an unobstructed view, the $50,000 venue fee will buy restaurants and clubs a live feed of the three day spectacle, which culminates with the Grand Prix race 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18.
Putting the Blocks On
All pedestrian bridges with a view of the Las Vegas Grand Prix circuit — such as this one facing East Tropicana Avenue — will have their glass covered up. (Image: Nevada DOT)
Because of the extraordinary premium it is placing on race views, F1 has been going over diagrams of the circuit with the intention of blocking any and all possible glimpses of the race by anyone who hasn’t purchased a pricey seat in one of the various grandstands spread out around the track.
Though sidewalks on Las Vegas Boulevard will be open to pedestrians during the race, barriers lining the track will intentionally obstruct all possible views.
And although pedestrian bridges crossing over the Strip will also be open to foot traffic during the race, their normally clear glass will be papered over.
Schedule Revealed
From 8:30-9:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16 — and again from midnight-1 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 17 — drivers will perform practice runs on the racetrack, according to a schedule posted on Aug. 21 to MGM Resorts’ Grand Prix page.
They’ll take one final practice round from 8:30-9:30 p.m. on Friday, then race for their spot on the grid during qualifying rounds, which will be held from midnight-1 a.m. on race day.
The race itself — 50 laps around a 3.8 mile track weaving in and out of the Las Vegas Strip at speeds of up to 223 mph — will start at 10 p.m. Saturday and finish by midnight.
Gates will open to the public at 6 p.m. on all three days.
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