This element of the race has already been controversial in the weeks leading up to this weekend, as visibility filters were applied to the pedestrian bridge area over the Strip, preventing people without tickets from seeing the track. It was brewing.
When local residents attempted to remove this bridge, it was replaced in place and a cage-like structure was added that also covered the upper elements of the bridge to prevent anything from being thrown onto the tracks. Ta.
Stores along the strip were also banned from selling glass products at certain times before and after F1 sessions to prevent dangerous items from getting onto the track.
As is the case with many of F1’s permanent track visits, many of the fences that line the perimeter of the track on the strip pavement were also fitted with visibility screens, allowing public access even during live sessions. .
During the Las Vegas race, as seen in the photos above and below, some fans (some of whom appeared to be wearing team gear but did not have tickets) were able to break through and reach the other side. I managed to see the track on the strip.
Event staff attempted to replace the damaged screen, but were unsuccessful.
The area in question is across from the Planet Hollywood Casino and Hotel and near Turn 14, a major passing point on the course layout.
Photo credit: Simon Galloway / motorsport images
Fans watching from behind the catch fence
At this year’s races in Australia and Brazil, interactions between fans and track infrastructure have been disrupted after organizers were called to brief their respective stewards panels on incidents of spectators breaking through security lines at each event. It has become a focus for F1 itself and the FIA.
However, Motorsport.com understands that no safety concerns regarding fan behavior were raised by race management during the action-packed race, which was ultimately won by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
The fence in question was also separated from the fences that line the edge of the track across the strip, putting fans and racing drivers at risk, as they did in Melbourne and Sao Paulo. There shouldn’t have been.
Fan behavior in Las Vegas on Saturday night sparked controversy in Sin City after a disastrous incident in FP1 in which concrete around a water valve cover on the Strip failed, causing extensive damage to Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari. It followed what became the first event of its kind.
This caused a significant delay in the first day of track action as the valve cover in question and another 30 others along the strip were buried to stop the cars from moving down the strip at top speed.
As a result of this work, the long FP2 session was delayed for two and a half hours, during which time fans were removed from the venue after a security change.
Photo credit: Simon Galloway / motorsport images
Fans watching from behind the catch fence
Fans who only had tickets for Thursday’s action were offered a $200 voucher to the event’s online merchandise store just for witnessing eight minutes of live track action.
In response, a prominent Nevada law firm filed a lawsuit against the Las Vegas Grand Prix organization in an effort to secure refunds for affected spectators.
The F1 organization, which owns the event promoters of the Las Vegas Grand Prix organization, has been asked for comment regarding the demolition of the screens.
