Las Vegas – The season for the Las Vegas Grand Prix is finally approaching.
F1's influence in the United States has increased significantly.
If the Las Vegas fanfare didn't prove it, the possibility of three races and an American race team participating will.
The same goes for the gambling market.
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Dutch Red Bull driver Max Verstappen gets into his car in the garage area during a practice session for the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix in Las Vegas, Thursday, November 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt York)
“I think it was a slow burner initially,” Chris Pearce, senior trader at Caesars Sportsbook, told Fox News Digital. “I think these days we're seeing more and more Grands Prix in the Northern Hemisphere, and in the United States, especially the Austin Grand Prix and Las Vegas.
“And there's definitely more interest. If you spend time on the product, give it more of a market, give it the showcase it deserves, buyers will bite into it.”
Mr Pearce said betting on F1 had exploded in recent years due to the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix.
“The growth rate is definitely at least triple compared to when I first took this product over two years ago, and the Las Vegas Grand Prix was once again a huge contributor to the product's growth,” he said. Ta. “Last year there was glitz and glitter. You don't get that from established grands prix. Obviously the British Grand Prix at Silverstone is of global importance and was the signature grand prix of the year.”
“Last year everyone was looking forward to Las Vegas more than the British Grand Prix and I think that continued this year as well. So, yeah, it's growing and I expect it to grow even more as well. I think we had a lot of attendance in Vegas that year.'' The Las Vegas Grand Prix was three times as large as Daytona, so it's clearly an established race in the United States and should grow even more if we offer it to the market. ”
British McLaren driver Lando Norris passes the Sphere during a practice session for the Formula 1 US Grand Prix auto race in Las Vegas, Thursday, November 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Rick Scutelli)
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There will be no American on the starting grid this year after Logan Sargent's stint with Williams Racing came to an abrupt end this season.
However, the success and popularity of Netflix's documentary series Drive to Survive helped superstars with international appeal in Europe and Asia, such as Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, become household names in the United States as well.
“I think it's a little bit of both,” Pearce said of whether American drivers would have an impact on the gambling market. “Last year we had Logan Sargent on the grid. He was by far the biggest liability for us going into the race. He was a multi-million dollar loser for us last year. There was a little bit of worry that something might fall on the race, but luckily we dodged that bullet.
“Yes, American drivers certainly help. That being said, thanks to the recent Netflix series F1, it has helped spread the sport and its name within the sport. Now, I think more and more people are going to know about drivers other than[Lewis].'' Hamilton, for example, apart from (Michael) Schumacher in the past, they will know about Lando Norris. ”
Spanish Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz drives during a practice session for the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix on Thursday, November 21, 2024 in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Rick Scutelli)
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The Las Vegas Grand Prix opens at 1 a.m. ET on Sunday for fans on the East Coast. Those attending the race on the West Coast or in the city will see the race begin at 10pm Pacific Time.
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