LEWIS HAMILTON and the Mercedes team have been hit with a BAN from their boss ahead of Formula One’s Las Vegas Grand Prix.
F1 is racing on the famous Vegas strip for the first time in its history, though the sport has previously raced in the city in the Ceasar’s Palace car park in 1981 and 1982.
It has cost F1 owners Liberty Media roughly $500million, or £400m, to put on the event.
But Hamilton and Co will not be allowed to enjoy the full offerings of Sin City.
That is because Mercedes F1 chief Toto Wolff has issued a gambling ban on the team.
Speaking to Motorsport.com, Wolff said: “I’ve never been to Las Vegas, but we’ll do everything we can to make sure everyone on the team stays away from the casinos.
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“I don’t bet and I’ll make sure no one else bets either.”
The Nevada-based city is known around the globe for its casinos and 24-hour entertainment, with 122 gambling and betting venues.
The Austrian explained the team could get easily distracted due to not knowing the layout of the paddock, city and traffic routes to get to the circuit.
Wolff said: “We don’t know how to get from the hotel to the circuit and vice versa, but I am sure that we will find a solution. I can’t wait for the race to start.”
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He added: “I think everyone is looking forward to the Las Vegas race.
“Running in this city is comparable to climbing Everest, hats off to Liberty Media for organizing this race.
“I don’t think I’m the only one in Formula 1 who’s never been to this city, which is quite difficult to navigate.”
Hamilton, 38, revealed he has quit another Sin City vice in booze to try and get back to winning races.
Wolff has been linked with a sensational investment into Manchester United along with Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who owns Mercedes F1 sponsor Ineos.
F1 owners, Liberty Media, have apologised to the local residents of Las Vegas about the chaos the race has created in terms of construction, traffic and impact on the tourism industry.
CEO Greg Maffei said: “I want to apologise to all the Las Vegas residents and we appreciate that they have their forbearance and their willingness to tolerate us.
“We’re going to bring something like $1.7 billion of revenue to the area. So it’s not just for the benefit of fans who want to view.
“We hope this is a great economic benefit in Las Vegas.
“We hope this is the most difficult year with all the construction that went on and things will be easier in the future.”
There are serious concerns the race will fail to live up to the hype with reports suggesting there are up to 10,000 tickets which have not been sold in the grandstand.
Ticket sales too have been slow with many reluctant to spend the ridiculous sums being suggested.
CNN reported that ticket website TickPick had seen prices slashed, although the average price for Saturday’s race is still an eye-watering $1,060, roughly £800, for grandstand seats.
The race is on Saturday at 10pm local time and 6am in the UK.
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There have been mixed reactions to the race from drivers as well, with world champion Max Verstappen suggesting there could be some surprises.
Meanwhile, the race itself could be chaos with track temperatures set to be around five degrees, far from optimal for F1 tyres which thrive in warmer conditions.
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Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
