The Las Vegas Grand Prix proved a huge hit with F1 fans but local businesses weren't too happy about the disruption.
Local businesses in Las Vegas are demanding compensation from F1 and the county for "millions" they lost during the inaugural Grand Prix in Sin City.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix was pitted as F1's grandest event last year as Liberty Media pumped millions into the race weekend, which saw Max Verstappen locked in an entertaining battle with Charles Leclerc on track.
Some reports claim the city of Las Vegas made around £1billion, but it's clear that money hasn't trickled down to all local businesses.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix proved a huge hit among F1 fans
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Jay’s Market owner Wade Bohn claims his annual revenue reduced my nearly half to just over $4million in 2023, citing the Las Vegas Grand Prix as the reason.
“We don’t need the F1. The F1 needs us,” Bohn said.
“We want to be compensated for the losses that occurred due to everything F1, the county, and the LVCVA (Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority) did.”
He added: “We believe the county is responsible.
“They’re using taxpayer dollars to bring F1 into town.
"When F1 went before the county, they promised they would not be a hindrance, that they would be a part of the community.
“What they did was they came in, tore everything up, ran the race, and got the hell out of dodge. . .
“If this (the business loss) happens again next year I will be out of business – 100 per cent.”
Randy Markin is another local business owner who feels let down by the whole ordeal.
“We as a community got bamboozled, we got fooled," he said.
Some local businesses want compensation
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"This has not ever happened before. It just steamrolled out of control."
But legal representatives for the disgruntled business owners have appeared before the Clark County Commission that they won't be seeking a class-action lawsuit.
The business owners instead just want to receive compensation for losses incurred from the F1 race.
“This is the first time Las Vegas got fooled by an outside entity like F1,” Markin added.
“F1 did not know how to get involved with the community.
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“None of us want to destroy Las Vegas. We don’t want a lawsuit. We want to turn a negative into a positive. It’s much better if the county commission, LVCVA, and F1 get together and be proactive about this problem.”
County Commission Chairman Tick Segerblom has acknowledged that the businesses have a "legitimate point" to make.
But he also added no final decision has been made on whether compensation will be paid out.
"We will certainly look at this in the future," Segerblom said.
"Before we approve F1 for 2024, we will focus on those companies that have been affected in the past and are likely to be affected in the future."