analysis
Formula 1 is racing in the USA for the third time this year. It is the largest market for a racing series that once completely avoided US racing and now wants to continue to grow.
Sebastian Vettel becomes world champion in the Red Bull, there is still the German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring and none of the “only” 19 races takes place in the USA. That was Formula 1 in 2011. It was a time when teams – at that time Marussia Racing, Force India and Co. – were in financial problems. At that time, the value of world champion team Red Bull was only estimated at around 500 million euros.
Those days are long gone. Formula 1 has overcome these – in retrospect one would say “times of crisis”. The premier class of motorsport is growing. And it is expanding. Last but not least, the Netflix series “Drive to survive”, which has been providing a look behind the scenes since 2019 and has managed to turn team bosses and drivers into pop culture protagonists, has ensured that Formula 1, which was once ridiculed in the USA, is now right there has found its largest market.
After Miami and Austin comes Las Vegas
When the Grand Prix takes place in Las Vegas on Sunday (11/19/23), the racing series will be stopping in the USA for the third time this season. An unthinkable scenario ten years ago. The fact that Austin (Texas) has been back on the racing calendar since 2012 was a risk after years of sadness in Indianapolis (Indiana).
In 2022, a second US race was added to the racing calendar: Miami (Florida), a route around the Miami Dolphins’ NFL stadium. Now follows Las Vegas (Nevada). It is the 21st race, only the season finale in Abu Dhabi on November 26th follows. There are 24 races confirmed on the calendar for 2024. Compared to 2011, growth of around 20 percent. Germany still comes away empty-handed.
Criticism of the timing of the Las Vegas race
In contrast to the sometimes absurd schedules this year, the FIA, the world automobile association, asserts that the calendar for 2024 is “more regionalized”. Criticism of the November event in Las Vegas will inevitably arise next year too.
These days, teams and drivers in Nevada are not only dealing with the completely new route, but above all with the local conditions. The temperatures are only a few degrees above zero – unusual for Formula 1. Such low temperatures also indirectly influence the strategy of the teams, who have to think of a plan to get the tires up to temperature.
Verstappen: “I’m not interested in the show”
A topic that will also concern the already established world champion Max Verstappen. The Dutchman wants to take his 18th win of the season in Las Vegas. The show that the organizers have announced leaves Verstappen cold. “I’m not interested in any of that. I just go there, do my thing and then leave again,” said Verstappen and added: “I think we’re there more for the show than for the racing itself, if you think about it Look at the layout of the route.”
The new approximately 6.2 kilometer long circuit will have three considerably long straights, including the famous Las Vegas Boulevard, the Strip. A purely visual spectacle. How much racing this entails can only be answered seriously after the race. The race takes place at night and starts at 10 p.m. local time. And already on Saturday evening in Nevada. For European fans that means getting up early on Sunday. Start in Germany (CET) is at 7 a.m.
Tickets are the most expensive in the USA
The “show” that Verstappen is talking about starts with an opening ceremony on Wednesday. Numerous prominent musical guests are invited. The “paddock”, so to speak the VIP area at Formula 1 races, is designed for 25,000 people. Ticket prices for this are in the five-figure range.
But even normal tickets are record-breakingly expensive in Las Vegas. A weekend ticket costs on average around 1500 euros. 50 percent more than the second most expensive Grand Prix of the year – Miami (approx. 1000 euros). For comparison: it is cheapest in Hungary (approx. 150 euros). Many courses are between 300 and 400 euros.
As the new US Grand Prix, Las Vegas and Miami have once again surpassed Austin (approx. 600 euros), which, despite being one of the more expensive racing weekends, recently attracted almost half a million spectators to the track over the entire weekend.
Teams earn money – Andretti wants to earn money too
It is another indication that Formula 1 is growing and that the course taken by the FIA has not yet reached its peak. With Andretti Autosport, a US motorsport team is pushing into the racing series. Not to replace a team, but as the eleventh racing team.
The deal depends primarily on the approval of the already established teams – because Ferrari, Mercedes, Red Bull and Co. actually have no interest in giving up a piece of the growing Formula 1 pie. Unlike over ten years ago, where teams sometimes fought for their existence, there is a lot of money to be made today. The numbers prove this: According to experts’ estimates, Red Bull is now worth around 2.2 billion euros. Mercedes even 2.5 billion and Ferrari almost 3 billion. It’s about growth. The tough times are over.