F1 drivers excited for Las Vegas but concerned over future of historic races

Last month, F1 finally announced that it would be returning to Las Vegas for a night race in 2023.

The all-new 6.12km circuit will incorporate the famous Las Vegas Strip with F1 cars set to race past landmark casinos like the Bellagio and Caesar’s Palace - making it one of the landmark events of the season.

• Crash F1 Podcast: Can Leclerc be stopped after Australian GP domination?
• FIA hits back at criticism of F1 Safety Car after Verstappen's 'turtle' remark
• Verstappen calls on F1 to speed up 'turtle' Aston Martin Safety Car
• Russell: No 'substantial' Mercedes F1 upgrades 

The inclusion of Vegas means there will now be three races in America on the calendar, joining Miami (which hosts its inaugural race next month) and Austin.

According to various reports, Belgium, Monaco, France and Mexico are all under threat for next year with Vegas, Qatar and China all expected to feature.

Speaking ahead of the Australian GP weekend, Sainz put forward a potential solution in response to the ever-growing F1 calendar.

“Obviously big fan of having to go to Miami and Vegas, but at the same time, big loss having to lose classic European races, I think,” Sainz said. “Hopefully for the future we can find a compromise where maybe races that cannot afford to be in the calendar every year, year-in, year-out, can be in the calendar once every two years, once every three years. You know? And we keep coming back to the places that we've always been. 

“Business is business. Liberty and Formula 1 will look at what they have to do, I guess, for business, but I wouldn't like to stop racing in Europe. I think it's a great place to go racing, it’s where our heritage is and I think we need to keep coming back, even if it's not every single year, but at least keep it on the calendar.”

Alpine driver Fernando Alonso has called on the sport’s bosses to agree on a “limit”.

“There are some positives, bringing Formula 1 to new countries and discovering these new races,” Alonso said. “I think Las Vegas, for example, it's going to be very exciting. And Miami, and these kinds of weekends. 

“On the other hand, I think we need to be careful with the number of races, which I think we need to we should agree on a limit, because I think for the teams, it’s quite demanding, how the schedule and the calendar is now, especially that we don't have so many races in Europe anymore. So, I think that's the only concern if we keep adding races.”

Alpine teammate Esteban Ocon admitted he was concerned to hear that the French GP’s future was under threat.

The Circuit Paul Ricard only joined the F1 calendar in 2018.

“Well, I'm, I'm very happy to discover new tracks but yes, to see the French Grand Prix at threat, definitely I will do everything I can, to be vocal on that, to try and keep it on the calendar,” Ocon added. “Of course, when I started Formula 1, the grand prix was not there. It was rumoured that it was going to come back, and it did, and you know, we've lived so many good moments with the French fans there and yeah, it's extremely special when we go there every year. 

“So, I mean, I don't know, what's the situation exactly but I’m not happy to hear that it's under threat at the moment and I will do everything I can to keep it on the calendar.

Hamilton calls for South Africa addition

Seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton welcomed the addition of Las Vegas but still wants South Africa to be included.

F1 doesn’t currently have a race in Africa, with Kylami the likeliest venue that would be able to hold an F1 grand prix in the future.

“I think it's amazing that we bridge the relationship that we have now, three races on one continent; I think that's going to be awesome,” Hamilton said. “I think it'll be good for the business. I think Vegas will be an awesome addition. 

“I have not seen the track layout so I don't really know how that will be but just being there and the spectacle and I imagine it probably will be a night race, another night race maybe. Yeah, we welcome it. But the one I really want to see is South Africa. That's the one I want to hear next, that gets announced.”