Remember how one of my previous posts was all about how much I was dreading the Las Vegas Grand Prix? (Read it here!) Well, I suppose after last weekend's proceedings it's time for a follow up, right?
Let's not lie, things didn't get off to the greatest starts. The "Opening Ceremony," for example was a bit of a farce, with only about 5% of it actually being about Formula One. I did not waste my Wednesday (or Thursday, was it?) watching this.
Another thing I didn't watch was Free Practice One, although the F1 App didn't hold back from pinging me at 4-5 o'clock in the morning to tell me that the session was suspended after the drain cover incidents that ultimately destroyed Carlos Sainz's weekend. Ironically, he's my favourite driver. Don't get me wrong, drain cover incidents are nothing new when it comes to street circuits, but it makes me wonder, has nothing been learnt from previous events? Although Sainz was unlucky to be the driver to hit the cover, he was lucky that the incident wasn't worse.
And, shall we talk about how that particular incident was handled by the FIA and Las Vegas Grand Prix organisers? Deciding to fill the drains/holes (not overly sure on what they are or their purpose) with concrete mere moments before FP2 commenced, meaning that the session was heavily delayed and cars not taking to the track until the early hours of the Las Vegas morning. Oh, and fans were barred from being there. No apology, no refund, just a $200 gift card. It's easy to see why many revolted, disgruntled at what happened. As for Carlos Sainz, he received a ten place grid penalty after Ferrari had to change numerous aspects of the car to get it repaired for the rest of the weekend. An unfair penalty that he, nor Ferrari, deserved. Even the majority of teams agreed that it should be dismissed. All bar one. I'm looking at you, Mercedes. But hey, does it matter? Sainz and Ferrari beat them in the race! *Insert smug look here*
Despite this, and the awkward/cringeworthy viewing that was the announcer welcoming drivers to the Drivers Parade, the Las Vegas Grand Prix actually surpassed all expectations. There was no doubting that the race would cause some on-track chaos, with colder track temperatures and tyres struggling to come into their prime, but, the more important story however, was how many on-track battles and overtakes that were happening throughout the course of the race. As has been with the majority of the season, we just presumed that Verstappen would take the lead early on and run away with it. Also, we perceived the track as being boring and processional. Unbeknownst to us, the racing gods had other ideas. Instead,
we got to see several drivers battling through the field after horrid starts, as well several different leaders and a nail-biting battle for second. Ok, maybe Verstappen did win, but it wasn't easy for him. Vegas gave him one of his biggest challenges yet this season and it was all so exciting.
As with a lot of things in Formula One, the excitement was quickly over, with an overly drawn out podium celebration that included a car ride to the interviews at The Bellagio and back again to the podium that was quickly constructed in the meantime. If F1's obsession with making this race more of a show than a sport wasn't already obvious, I'm sure people would have caught on by now.
And, that's what the issue has been, ever since the event was announced. Liberty Media are more interested in turning F1 into a show rather than a sport. Media is in their name, after all. There is also the perception that F1 has too many races in America and is becoming too Americanised. Yes, in some ways this is true, but each to their own, as some say. Regardless, credit needs to be given to Vegas where it is due. They managed to put on a decent race that will definitely be remembered for some time to come. It's living proof that F1 still has that all important element of surprise.
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