Daniel Ricciardo playfully claims “98%” of the credit for the inception of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, scheduled later this year.

During a notable 2017 press conference, while he was with Red Bull, Ricciardo sat alongside Lewis Hamilton. This event has gained fame for its foreshadowing, occurring after Liberty Media acquired Formula 1 and revealed plans to expand the racing calendar.

In this conference, both Ricciardo and Hamilton were asked about their preferences for future Formula 1 race locations. While Hamilton mentioned Miami, Ricciardo expressed his hope for a Las Vegas Grand Prix. Remarkably, both of these wishes have since become reality.

The forthcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix, scheduled for November, will feature a Saturday night race along the renowned Las Vegas Strip. The circuit design incorporates some of the city’s most iconic landmarks. This marks Formula 1’s return to Las Vegas since the less successful Caesars Palace Grands Prix of the 1980s. However, the current event is significantly different, having garnered substantial investment and effort to establish Formula 1’s presence in the city.

Ricciardo, with a touch of humor, hopes to receive partial credit for the event’s creation, mentioning that he had proposed it in 2017.

The circuit layout is expected to deliver high-speed sections comparable to those of Monza, thanks to the long straights in Las Vegas. While opinions on the layout vary, Ricciardo anticipates that the circuit will truly come alive under the city’s dazzling lights, potentially making even challenging corners more enjoyable for the drivers when raced in the unique atmosphere of Las Vegas.