F1 ‘circus’ must respect Las Vegas locals – Lewis Hamilton،
LAS VEGAS — Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has called on Formula One to be wary of the impact this weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix will have on the city’s residents.
The sport returns to Las Vegas for the first time in 40 years this weekend as it prepares to race on a 3.8-mile street circuit amid the city’s most famous landmarks.
The Grand Prix, billed as “America’s greatest sporting event” by a number of business partners involved, is seen by some local residents as an unwanted disruption.
Even though many of the casinos that line the famous Las Vegas Strip are part of F1’s $500 million investment, people in service jobs, such as taxi drivers and hotel cleaners, have expressed their concerns.
For months, their routines and travel have been impacted by preparations for the event and they are struggling to see any benefit heading into Saturday night’s race.
“I heard there were a lot of complaints about the running of the event from locals,” Hamilton told Sky Sports News. “I think we need to be respectful of the residents here, of so many people who work so hard. There’s a lot of money and wealth in this city.
“We need to make sure people are taken care of. We can’t be a circus that just presents itself with glitz and glamor and, in my opinion, negatively affects people.”
Speaking at a press conference after the race’s opening ceremony on Wednesday evening, Hamilton added: “I hope it’s just something in the short term, maybe only in the future. In the future we can do things better so people aren’t as disrupted.”
“I’m really proud of my [Mercedes] team, today we have just welcomed 15 children from local communities, from disadvantaged schools, to see the garage. It’s something we need to do more of, and it’s something every team and the sport should be doing more of this stuff. »
Hamilton acknowledged F1’s desire to capitalize on the sport’s growing popularity in the United States, but hopes the Las Vegas race, which currently has a three-year contract, will eventually appeal to local residents.
“It’s one of the most iconic and unique cities they have here, among the other amazing cities they have in America,” he said. “All the lights, the show, it’s a great show, that’s for sure.
“It will never be like Silverstone. But maybe over time, people in the community here will learn to love this sport, just as we had the privilege of growing up and experiencing it, maybe be.”
