How Brexit and the NFL blocked a second Las Vegas F1 race

Stefano Domenicali has ruled out a second Las Vegas race, citing an NFL clash and Brexit customs hurdles for UK-based teams. The F1 CEO explained the decision while outlining contingency plans for potential late-season calendar disruptions.

Why it matters:

F1 is protecting its growing American audience while navigating geopolitical instability and post-Brexit red tape. Avoiding an NFL ratings battle shows discipline, but customs barriers reveal how political shifts complicate paddock logistics.

The details:

• The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian GPs were postponed in April, with Bahrain since added back to the calendar in Malaysia. November's Qatar and Abu Dhabi races remain uncertain, with Domenicali expecting a decision by mid-September.
• Should those races be canceled, Imola leads the shortlist for a European replacement, with Portimao also under consideration.
• A Las Vegas double-header on November 21st clashed with NFL Weeks 10 and 11, including Cowboys vs 49ers and Bills vs Dolphins.
• Domenicali noted Las Vegas offers better temperatures than Europe at that time, but Brexit customs paperwork for UK-based teams made a second race impractical.

What's next:

With a September deadline looming for the Middle East rounds, F1 is preparing a European fallback to close the season. The sport must balance global expansion with protecting marquee events from oversaturation and competing broadcast giants.