Despite Mass Backlash by Residents, “Well-Versed” F1 Lauds Itself for Las Vegas GP Prep

When F1 decided to race in the entertainment capital of the world in 1982, nobody expected we would have to wait for four decades until the circus visited Sin City again. However, the Las Vegas Grand Prix has come a long way from being in the parking lot of the Caesar’s Palace Hotel.

An investment of over $500 million in the construction of the Vegas street circuit has resulted in a jaw-dropping spectacle planned for those visiting the inaugural Las Vegas GP, but it’s left the people not involved bit by the racing bug feeling sour with what they’ve had to endure daily for months now. You’d expect the FIA to be worried about their prized project, but they’re relying on perfection in their side of the duties to ensure the locals are kept safe and happy.

Safety is the number one priority for F1 at the Las Vegas Grand Prix

In the FIA preview leading to the Las Vegas GP, they shared insights into some of the questions related to the race’s planning that were on everyone’s minds. “Has the FlA’s experience with a greater number of F1 street circuits and city racing in Formula E helped with how the Federation specifies such tracks?”  While all eyes are on Liberty Media’s attempts to block any unauthorized viewing of the races taking place, the FIA has been hard at work alongside local contractors to ensure a safe racing environment is in place for the millions of onlookers and tourists.

The statement read, “Yes, the safety systems that are homologated and installed by our industry working group partners are very easy to install on a modular basis. The integrated concrete wall and debris fence units from Geobrugg, the TecPro barriers, etc, and the track crews are good at moving them into place. It’s the same with other systems, such as light panels. We are very well versed in setting up a circuit like this.”

Even though the people of Vegas have had their gripes with the lack of cooperation on behalf of the race organizers with any of the local businesses and residences, we should take a look at how efficient the Monaco Grand Prix setup every year is to see that the FIA are good at their jobs once they get the hang of things. The release continued to read, “For me, that’s one of the biggest stories around Vegas. A huge number of walls need to be put into place, barriers that need to be moved, traffic needs to be managed. It’s a really serious undertaking, and they only have two hours to do it.”

READ MORE: “Everyone Hates the F1 Race”: Las Vegas GP’s Failed Traffic Measures Faces the Wrath of Residents

Even though the FIA has prepared everything with the enormous experience behind them, mankind is nothing but a speck of dust in front of nature. And with track temperatures expected to reach the lower digits, Sin City might just turn into Spin City.

The FIA is prepared for things to go wrong in Sin City

The Federation can predict these scenarios and has constraints in place that can save any drivers who find themselves ice-skating on the resurfaced tarmac. Their preview of the Vegas Grand Prix also covered the safety measures in terms of run-offs that are in place when it comes to street circuits.

It stated, “We have barriers that have been tested to more than 200 km/h impact speeds. If we can manage it with a barrier system, we will. But that’s always with the caveat that the better option is to extend the runoff area first if we can. And yes, in a street circuit environment, it’s very challenging to find the space to do that.”, residents have indeed been complaining about the traffic jams and taxi fares caused by the construction, but when safety is a concern it should be a no-brainer to ensure the equipment is installed properly.

“Straight ahead runoff areas are relatively easy, as normally that’s a junction between two roads. One of the nice things about street circuits is you can make nice long runoff areas at the end of long straights and that’s very much the case in Vegas.”, it looks like the FIA is serious about their knowledge of street circuits, and even if the race turns out to be as slippery as last year’s exhibition, at least there are safety measures in place.

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Two sides are forming in the wake of the Las Vegas GP construction. While one believes F1 coming to Vegas has been nothing but a nuisance to the locals, the other is more optimistic about the income it will generate, but only time will tell if F1’s $500 million bet pays off!