The staggering cost of food at Formula 1 events in the United States has once again become a major talking point, with Australian and New Zealand fans leading the charge against what many are calling 'criminal' pricing.
Las Vegas Grand Prix Food Shock
This weekend's Las Vegas Grand Prix has racing enthusiasts doing double-takes at concession stand prices, particularly when it comes to classic Australian fare. New Zealand IndyCar driver Scott McLaughlin expressed sheer disbelief when he encountered the cost of a simple meat pie at the international food stores during the glamorous event.
"Twenty-four bucks for an Aussie meat pie which is thirty-seven bucks in Australian dollars," McLaughlin blasted across his social media channels, sparking immediate reaction from the racing community.
Fan Backlash Goes Viral
The reaction from fans was swift and brutal, with social media flooding with memes and comments expressing outrage. One fan remarked it was "almost enough to go vegetarian," while another demanded the pie be "the diameter of an F1 tyre for that price."
Other fans didn't hold back either, with comments ranging from "Someone is making a fortune" to "That won't pass the pub test" and even "That doesn't sound very Australian." One particularly pointed comment suggested "Sounds like the Mafia is still running Vegas. That is absolutely criminal."
The $24 price tag for fish and chips also drew significant criticism, with one fan sarcastically noting it was probably "stale chips on a styrofoam plate with a crusty fish you can't cut into properly because the fork is also styrofoam."
History Repeating Itself
This isn't the first time Formula 1 food pricing has caused controversy. Last year, the Miami Grand Prix made international headlines when beauty influencer Brigette Pheloung went viral after sharing the Hard Rock menu, which she described as featuring "the most expensive items I think I have ever seen in my life."
Her review of the now-infamous $270 nachos was viewed more than 2.5 million times, highlighting the ongoing issue of premium pricing at premium sporting events.
The pattern of exorbitant food and beverage costs at US Formula 1 events continues to draw criticism from international visitors, particularly Australians and New Zealanders who find the prices completely out of step with reasonable expectations.
