The Formula One Las Vegas Grand Prix could be approved to be an annual event well into the next decade.
At Tuesday’s Clark County Commission meeting, a resolution is up for approval that would recognize the F1 race as an annual event through 2037. That would be an extension of the county’s previous recognition that ran through 2032.
The amended resolution would still require the race to occur the weekend before Thanksgiving, on the same 3.8-mile street circuit, mainly on public roads including Las Vegas Boulevard, Koval Lane and Harmon and Sands avenues. The resolution allows for various ordinances to be waived to put on the event, including allowing an event to occur on the Strip that wouldn’t normally be allowed, due to traffic issues that occur as a result.
The first three Grand Prix races were announced sellouts, with economic impacts landing near $1 billion each year. This year’s race is scheduled to take place Nov. 19-21.
The amended resolution also includes language stating the F1 will work with the county to increase the efficiencies related to the installation and removal of race infrastructure tied to executing the event.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitor Authority is also working on a new agreement with F1 to extend their current deal to host the race in Las Vegas, which was extended last year through 2027.
The contract being negotiated now would be for between five and 10 years, and last through 2032 or 2037. The new deal would include improving the race set up and tear down schedule, as is also included in the county’s proposed amended resolution.
Infrastructure improvements would include adding more permanent fixtures to simplify the installation and removal of track elements including lighting fixtures.
The Grand Prix now features about a four-month time frame where the track is assembled, the race occurs and the track is disassembled. That is less than half the time the initial race in 2023 took, with nine months of traffic interruptions seen with that set up. That was largely due to the 3.8-mile track being paved to F1 and the race governing body FIA standards.
One of the infrastructure changes could include the elimination of the controversial Flamingo Road bridge over Koval. The two-lane temporary bridge requires a full week closure of the intersection of Flamingo and Koval to construct the bridge and another week-long closure to dismantle the structure. The bridge allows for essential traffic to travel into and out of the resort corridor at times that racing action is occurring and the public roads included in the circuit are closed.
Where the bridge could be moved has still yet to be revealed by the LVCVA and F1.
F1 would make the investments needed to complete any track infrastructure upgrades.
The new deal between the LVCVA and F1 that kicks in this year will see Las Vegas’ tourism arm sponsor the event each year through 2027 for $10 million annually. The LVCVA paid $6.5 million annually to sponsor the 2023-25 races.
Contact Mick Akers at makers@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2920. Follow @mickakers on X.
