Published: October 13, 2023, 01:44h.
Last updated on: October 13, 2023, 01:44h.
Ten months following the start of construction, the Formula 1 Pit Building is nearing completion. This 300K square-foot structure will serve as the start and finish lines for the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix, as well as house the pit lane, team garages, and an ultra-VIP hospitality space.
Progress can also be seen along the 3.8 mile racetrack, with most grandstands, including those across from the Pit Building, nearing completion.
Before the race can commence, F1 and the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (F1’s governing body) officials will need to walk the track together during race week to ensure compliance with all rules and regulations. However, given the close contact and regular oversight from the FIA, this is expected to be a mere formality.
Rename Controversy
The F1 Pit Building was previously known as the Paddock Building until the official renaming by F1. This change occurred quietly due to concerns over the association of the term “paddock” with the name Stephen Paddock. Stephen Paddock was the gunman responsible for the tragic Las Vegas Route 91 Harvest Festival mass shooting in 2017.
In March, Casino.org‘s Vital Vegas blogger, Scott Roeben, first highlighted the uncomfortable association of the name with Las Vegas…
Other F1 Challenges
Employees working on the Strip have recently experienced lengthy delays exiting their workplace parking garages, with waits lasting up to an hour. Traffic congestion has been particularly troublesome along Sands Avenue, Koval Lane, and the construction site of the Pit Building at East Flamingo Road and Harmon Avenue.
Commutes during race week are expected to be even worse, with road closures spanning nine hours per race day.
To address these issues, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) is offering 4,300 parking spots for Strip employees at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Additionally, the LVCVA plans to charter 25 shuttle buses, and employees can also park at the Convention Center and utilize the round-the-clock monorail service during race week.
It remains unclear whether resorts will cover their employees’ monorail fares. However, the Culinary Union Local 226, representing 53K Las Vegas hospitality workers, is demanding that resorts cover the additional costs incurred by their employees and that they be compensated for the extra commuting time.