Ahead of the second Formula 1 GP in Las Vegas, two local entrepreneurs have criticized the event, the sport and its authorities. Wade Bohn, owner of a Coca-Cola-painted gas station in Las Vegas, says he was thrilled to learn his city was joining the Formula One calendar last year.
But the disruption the city suffered ultimately resulted in a shocking 65% drop in revenue for the month of November. He told the Journal de Montréal that in November 2022, his revenues amounted to $682,000. Today, “I won’t even reach $200,000”he revealed.
“It makes me sick. If this race continues into the fourth year of the contract, it's over for me. I've already laid off 50% of my employees. The destruction caused by a 90-minute race that we we organize once a year is inexplicable. I don't understand this concept.
Another restaurateur, Randy Markin, is suing Formula 1 for financial losses caused by the disruption the event causes for his business.
“No event has ever destroyed my city like F1” said the owner of Italian restaurant Battista's Hole In The Wall. He claims that when Formula 1 is in town, he has 50% fewer bookings.
“It's horrible. We're supposed to be full. People are calling to cancel their reservations because they can't come because of traffic and closures. We were the busiest restaurant on the Strip.”
He also attacked those responsible for Formula 1: “These people don't care. This is the first time a company has come to Vegas and it doesn't fit into the urban fabric. God knows how many companies have come here. No city world organizes big events like we do.”
“But why do citizens hate this race so much? It's because F1 goes around with its nose in the air, not caring about anything and destroying everything around it. They come in private jets, do their things and leave. It doesn't work like that here.”
F1 apologized after the disruptions to the 2023 edition and pledged to do better for the 2024 edition. But Markin believes nothing has changed: “If F1 really cared about Vegas, we wouldn't have to fight in court.”
“It's impossible to sit down with these people and talk because they don't care. They have no loyalty. And their way of thinking that they are bigger and stronger with their money doesn't work anymore . Especially not in this single market.”
