Hotel prices along the Strip have plummeted and all signs suggest first-time F1 race promoter Liberty appears to have grossly overshot the price point for drawing in new fans and spenders. Well, the big race has finally arrived and t ickets are still available, both directly and on a dramatically reduced secondary market. Renee Wilm, CEO of the grand prix, vowed “we will be sold out by the time of the event” on a Nov. F1 owner Liberty Media clearly viewed a race in Las Vegas as an international showstopper for the highest of the high rollers. With multimillion-dollar hospitality packages, exorbitant hotel rates and an initial average “get-in price” of about $2,000, this race was never about attracting new fans to the global motorsports series or growing the American audience.

The warning signs were as bright as The Sphere when early pricing opened for this week’s extravaganza, the most expensive grand prix to attend on this year’s 24-race calendar. LAS VEGAS (AP) - There is no such thing as a flawless first-year event, so go ahead and accept that there will be bumps and bruises in Formula One’s $500 million Las Vegas Grand Prix.