F1 News: Drivers Raise "Incredibly Expensive" Las Vegas GP Ticket Price Concerns

Charles Leclerc and Daniel Ricciardo want the Las Vegas Grand Prix to be more accessible to fans.

Formula 1 drivers Charles Leclerc and Daniel Ricciardo have raised concerns over Las Vegas GP's "incredibly expensive" ticket prices, which are the highest when it comes to the base ticket prices in Formula 1 history.

As F1 returns to Las Vegas after nearly four decades, it has attracted investments of up to $500 million, which might have spilt onto the high-ticket prices, as prices for the general admission tickets around the MSG Sphere reached $966 (£844). 

When asked by RaceFans whether the cost of the tickets might have caused fans to distance themselves from the event, Leclerc said:

“That is a really, really good point.

“I hope that Formula 1 is working around that because for sure there’s been many events now that are just incredibly expensive. Also like real fans that really love the sport cannot even afford to get to the races and actually watch the races. So this is definitely an issue that has to be tackled.”

Ricciardo added his views on similar lines, stating that there needs to be a fine balance between affordability and premium offerings. He added:

“I did hear some entry-level prices – I’m well aware that not everyone can afford those.

“I would love that everyone can have the option to attend. Obviously I’m not the business behind the sport. I don’t want to say it’s my ignorance, but I would still love that the general admission [ticket] is affordable for anyone, whatever job they have. Of course if there’s then some crazy packages and people want to spend that money – all good, so be it. But I guess I don’t like to hear ‘we would have loved to come, but we just simply couldn’t afford it’ – that’s obviously a little bit tough.

“Again, I’m not saying I agree with it, but maybe this is that little outlier of a weekend where that’s the crowd that they kind of want to go after. And if that’s what it is, then obviously that’s their kind of business plan. I’m not really sure where they are with it. Obviously everyone’s got different lifestyles and levels of income, so it would be nice that the sport remains accessible for everyone.”

Considering the entertainment aspect of Las Vegas, Leclerc understands the efforts taken by the sport for the grand spectacle but stressed that the DNA of the sport must remain the same. He concluded:

“It’s a lot, but I think if you don’t do that here, you don’t do that anywhere.

“What’s most important to me is that the DNA of the sport remains the same. However, we need to also take opportunities of this kind of event in such incredible cities and make something around it that will maybe attract people that are not interested in racing at first, but that then once they get to see the cars in real life, then get interested into racing.

“This could mean potentially many more fans for the sport in the years to come. So I think it’s great what F1 has done until now.”