According to reports, Toto Wolff, Team Principal and CEO of the Mercedes F1 team, has enforced a strict gambling ban on his team during the Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend.
This will be the first time that F1 has headed to Vegas since the early 1980s so, like patrons, team members who are visiting the city for the first time were probably looking forward to having a dabble on the blackjack tables or roulette tables; but that is no longer a possibility.
Wolff wants staff to remain focused on the job at hand over the weekend and stated to Motorsport.com Spain, “Racing in this city is comparable to climbing Everest, hats off to Liberty Media for organizing this race.
“As I said, I’ve never been to Las Vegas, but we’ll do our best to make sure everyone in the team stays away from the casinos. I don’t gamble and I will make sure no one else gambles either!”
F1 will hold its first race in Sin City since the 1982 Caesars Palace Grand Prix.
Wolff also stated, “We don’t know how to get from the hotel to the circuit and back, but I’m sure we’ll find a solution. I can’t wait for the race to start.”
Media reports are also speculating this impromptu ban has been imposed following the team's recent performance at the Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo; wanting his team to remain as focused as possible – no distractions.
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell finished eighth and 15th respectively on an afternoon Wolff described as "inexcusable."
