F1 chiefs consider Vegas venture

Renault chief Flavio Briatore has spelled out his dream for a further United States Grand Prix to be staged in Las Vegas.

Briatore believes a second annual race in the US is vital for Formula One’s continued growth there and he has pinpointed a return to Las Vegas as the perfect showcase for the sport.

Formula One has already attempted to cash in on Las Vegas’ reputation and glamour.

However, the sport was poorly represented on a temporary circuit in the car park of Caesar’s Palace casino and interest soon waned, with only two races held, in 1981 and 1982.

Briatore revealed a delegation of Las Vegas representatives are in Montreal this weekend as Formula One’s commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone contemplates a return to the Nevada city.

It is a move Briatore would wholeheartedly welcome.

The Italian said: “North America is very important for Formula One. Bernie has tried very hard to have a race in Las Vegas and we have a few friends from Las Vegas visiting Formula One this weekend.

“I hope we start talking because North America is very important. It’s important for everything. It’s important for Formula One and I hope one day we will have a race there.”

Briatore believes American audiences are finally beginning to switch on to Formula One again despite the lack of a local driver.

Scott Speed’s third driver role at Red Bull in Canada this weekend was the first time an American has competed in Formula One since Michael Andretti’s failed switch in 1993.

But Briatore believes interest in the sport is still on the up in the US and tipped a second race there, to complement the Indianapolis grand prix, to boost interest further.

He added: “Formula One is something magic, something unique and now in America people are starting to appreciate Formula One.

“It would be magic to have another race in North America. This is what I believe everybody, every team and every sponsor would be happy about that.”