F1 News: Las Vegas GP To Keep Late Start Despite 2023 Backlash
The FIA has announced that the Las Vegas Grand Prix will retain its 10pm local time start for the F1 2024 season, amidst last year's complaints about late-night race extensions and the difficult time zone changes for the drivers and teams.
Key Takeaways:
- Persistent Schedule: Despite complaints from locals and fans about the late-night on-track action extending to the 2am local curfew last year, the FIA has decided to keep the 10pm race start time for the Las Vegas Grand Prix in the F1 2024 season. However, the free practice session times are yet to be announced.
- Fan Compensation: Fans who were left disappointed after a called-off FP1 session after approximately 9 minutes before being told they had to leave ahead of the delayed FP2 session started were not offered refunds. Instead, they received vouchers for merchandise as compensation, following an incident where Carlos Sainz's car damaged the circuit, necessitating lengthy repairs.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix, a highlight in the F1 calendar, faced criticism last year from locals and fans due to the late schedule as well as teams and drivers struggling with the extreme time zone changes from Vegas to Abu Dhabi the week after.
Despite these concerns, the FIA has maintained the 10pm start time for the 2024 season but has left the practice session times as 'to be announced'. This decision leaves room for adjustments to avoid a repeat of last year's FP1 and FP2 scenario. Formula 1, acting as both the sport's governing body and the race promoter in Las Vegas, is considering changing the practice times from 2023.
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner commented on the event's challenges at the time, stating:
"I think one of the things we look at is the running schedule because it’s been brutal for the team, and all the men and women behind the scenes.
"I think everybody’s leaving Vegas slightly f***ed. We need to look at how we can improve that for the future. We’re running so late at night, so maybe we run it a little earlier in the evening.
"You’re never going to keep every television audience totally happy. This is an American race, so if you run at eight o’clock in the evening, or something like that, it would just be a bit more comfortable for all.”
The late track times were initially chosen to help cater towards the European fans watching from home, however, with other races on the calendar being in the middle of the night or very early morning for Europe, many believe this could easily be changed.
