Former F1 driver praises Liberty Media for bringing F1 to Las Vegas

David Coulthard was glad to see Liberty Media target the American market through the Las Vegas GP.

Former F1 driver praises Liberty Media for bringing F1 to Las Vegas

David Coulthard [L], Las Vegas GP logo [R] (images via IMAGO)

Formula 1 has invested heavily in the upcoming Las Vegas GP. The sport has grand ambitions for the inaugural race on the iconic Vegas Strip. The race is expected to bring substantial sums for F1 as well as the city. Now, former McLaren and Red Bull F1 driver David Coulthard has praised Liberty Media for bringing F1 to Sin City.

Coulthard highlighted that the US is a crucial market for F1. The sport has found it difficult to make a mark in the country in the past. However, now Formula 1 is growing rapidly in the ‘Land of the Free.’ David Coulthard was convinced that someone from Liberty Media must’ve conceptualized the Las Vegas GP as the American company has a better knowledge of the US market.

America has always been a very important market for Formula 1, but they have had a hard time historically finding a way to get there. I don’t know who came up with this idea, but surely someone from Liberty is an American company that has bought Formula 1 and they understand this market much better.

David Coulthard told Las Vegas Magazine

The 52-year-old was excited to see the pinnacle of a motorsport race in Las Vegas. Coulthard reckoned that, unlike other major sporting categories, F1 is a global sport that takes place every year. As such, it would be the perfect event to be held on the iconic Vegas Strip. Certainly, the race is expected to be a massive spectacle.

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David Coulthard compares the Las Vegas GP to Monaco

The Monaco GP is one of the historic races in Formula 1. The Grand Prix itself has existed even before the sport. Coulthard mentioned that the glamour and casinos of Vegas were matched by Monte Carlo. However, DC admitted that Monaco has a much richer racing heritage compared to Sin City which returns to the grid this season.

If you have to compare Las Vegas, being a city full of glamor and game, would be with Monte Carlo.
A representative image for the Las Vegas GP (image via F1)
A representative image for the Las Vegas GP (image via F1)

The Las Vegas GP is expected to be a major boost to the economy of Vegas. F1 and Liberty Media have invested almost half a billion dollars in the inaugural race. Moreover, the sport has taken up the role of race promotion as well in order to receive more profits from the Grand Prix. The economic impact on the city is expected to be massive as well.

Experts have predicted that Las Vegas would earn over $1 Billion from the race this year. Moreover, the Grand Prix would attract millions of new viewers to the pinnacle of motorsport in the United States. However, it remains to be seen if the Las Vegas GP could deliver on the high expectations after months of hectic preparation.

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