Though high winds on Saturday did not seem to bother Formula One fans or Strip-goers, the unexpected gusts shook security plans nearly an hour before the race.
On the Paris side of the Strip, the outdoor seating at Alexxa’s restaurant was completely booked for a private event; the patio at French steakhouse Mon Ami Gabi was equally bustling.
At the same time, F1 staff and officers with the Metropolitan Police Department could be seen using caution tape, zip ties, and metal barriers to reinforce a wobbly fence outside of Caesars Palace. It was unclear if the fence had capsized completely, but its opaque cloak, which once blocked race views, was gone.
With the barrier entirely see-through, hopeful fans sat on a nearby ledge. They watched Formula 1 staff struggle against the weather before officers eventually ushered them away for hanging around.
Contact Akiya Dillon at adillon@reviewjournal.com.
