Las Vegas Grand Prix: Too much entertainment?

But the group’s intention was always to draw in the US market, and with a bedrock of new fans who picked up on the previously unseen storylines from Netflix’s Drive to Survive series, two new races have been added Stateside, with Vegas and Miami joining Austin on the Formula One calendar.

But how do these two measure up? Let’s take a look.

Perhaps riled by a less-than-perfect qualifying session, WDC Max Verstappen had some complaints about the staging of the first Las Vegas Grand Prix since 1982. It’s borne of an issue that some drivers have hinted at before — Liberty Media, who have owned F1 since 2017, have focused heavily on the development of the US market, where it seems entertainment and spectacle take precedence over the sport.

"I love Vegas but not to drive in a Formula One car, ... Emotions, passion? it's not there compared to some old-school tracks."

There is no surprise that Max likes Vegas outside of racing – it is the undisputed entertainment capital of the world, boasting a gambling industry that has transcended the grand casinos and has made its way online to become a favourite with mobile gamers.

Its influence means Players can now enjoy classic casino games such as blackjack, poker, and slots, but also other gambling options including bingo, a favourite on both sides of the Atlantic. But as a venue for F1?

The Dutch superstar may have softened somewhat as he stood on the podium’s top step the following evening, as it was apparent that the racing was definitely a match for the off-track spectacle. Verstappen prevailed, forcing pole-sitter Charles Leclerc off track at the first corner, and overcoming teammate Sergio Perez in a gruelling dogfight to win the race and assert even greater dominance over the 2023 Formula One season.

The Miami Grand Prix was first staged in 2022, and both that race and the 2023 instalment were won by… well, Max Verstappen, almost inevitably. The Dutchman has been imperious over the last two seasons after a closely fought first title victory in 2021 over Lewis Hamilton.

Liberty Media billed the event as the “Super Bowl of Formula One”, which put a lot of pressure on the race weekend, but the colourful spectacles on offer, including a purpose-built marina replete with mermaids, pop-up restaurants, and live musical performances certainly didn’t disappoint.

The race also succeeded in one aspect Liberty focused on, in that it drew spectators from a wide variety of demographics to what is typically seen as a white, male-dominated sport.

True, the track left a little to be desired in terms of racing action, which is a problem for some street circuits, and despite a few early changes in the lead as the dominant Red Bulls reeled in the Ferraris, Verstappen cruised to a comfortable victory.

But the figures don’t lie — ABC’s coverage of the race drew 2.6m viewers in the US, almost as much as that weekend’s NASCAR race, and the largest TV audience in US TV history at that point. The glamour of the off-track action was also a big part of that success, with droves of celebrities from across the world of sports and entertainment prowling the Formula One paddock.

There is no doubt that Liberty Media are succeeding in their mission to hit the US market. While their tactics in drawing in audiences sit well with the drivers and traditionalists by the by. And while an often-mentioned NYC Grand Prix still seems far away, the Formula One fanbase in the USA is growing year by year.