F1 News: Bernie Ecclestone Mocks Las Vegas GP - "Nothing To Do With Formula 1"

The F1 Supremo is disinterested in the Las Vegas GP.

Just days ahead of the inaugural Las Vegas GP, former F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone has mocked the street race on the Strip by saying it has nothing to do with F1 racing. He also displayed his displeasure at the event and took credit for spreading the glory of Formula 1 beyond European borders. 

After visiting Miami and Austin this season, F1 heads to the Strip for the biggest event to date in the sport's history. It is being described as an important milestone for Liberty Media which, took over the ownership of Formula 1 in 2017, the same year Ecclestone stepped down from his post. 

F1 has previously held races in Las Vegas, with the Caesars Palace Hotel hosting two Grands Prix in 1981 and 1982. However, these events were not well-received, as the circuit was labeled one of the worst tracks in F1 history.

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Even though Ecclestone was responsible for F1's initial venture into Nevada over four decades ago, he has expressed disinterest in this weekend's race. Speaking to the Dutch publication NOS, he stated:

“I’m not really looking forward to it. Why not? It has nothing to do with Formula 1."

Ecclestone took credit for introducing the sport to emerging markets in Asia and the Middle East such as Bahrain, China, and Singapore around the turn of the century. He also conveyed his pride in F1's ongoing expansion to diverse global locations. The 2024 F1 schedule features a record 24 races, marking the return of China to the calendar for the first time since 2019. Continuing further, he said:

“I am happy that the sport continues to develop around the world. I am the one who brought Formula 1 out of Europe and to the rest of the world.

“We are competing for a World Championship, not a European Championship. It is good that that remains the case.”

Scheduled to be a night race this weekend, the Las Vegas GP is anticipated to be one of the coldest Formula 1 events, with temperatures predicted to drop as low as five degrees Celsius based on current forecasts. Qualifying in Nevada is set to commence at midnight local time, while the race will take place at 10 pm on Saturday.