The Las Vegas Grand Prix has rapidly emerged as a standout event on the Formula 1 calendar, shining brightly as one of the premier sporting spectacles in the United States. Blending the iconic lights of the Las Vegas Strip with the excitement of a dramatic night race, it has reshaped expectations for what a Formula 1 race weekend can be, while showcasing the impact of women leading Formula 1 behind the scenes.
At the heart of this transformation lies a leadership team that defies motorsport’s historically male-dominated environment. Women occupy key positions throughout the Las Vegas Grand Prix Organization, influencing everything from race operations to hospitality and executive management. This distinct leadership composition exemplifies the rapid cultural shift underway in motorsport.
Driving Leadership at the Forefront of the Las Vegas GP
Emily Prazer stands at the core of the Las Vegas Grand Prix leadership. Serving as both the President and CEO of the event, as well as Chief Commercial Officer of Formula 1, Prazer wields significant influence over the sport’s global partnerships, brand strategies, and expansion efforts. Balancing these dual roles places her among the highest-ranking women in Formula 1’s hierarchy.
Prazer exemplifies the possibilities available to women in motorsport, even when their achievements aren’t always front and center in the public eye.
“I’m very aware that my role adds visibility on a global stage, especially in a sport where female leadership is still emerging. The most powerful thing we can do is demonstrate what’s possible by doing the work, supporting one another and delivering at the highest standard.” Emily Prazer
Since taking leadership, Prazer has shepherded the Las Vegas Grand Prix from concept to reality, with the event now in its fourth year and firmly established as a major fixture in F1. This success rests on an organization where women hold many vital executive roles.
The leadership team at the Las Vegas Grand Prix includes:
- Lauren Flint – Senior Vice President of Operations
- Lori Nelson-Kraft – Senior Vice President of Community Affairs
- Samantha Rayburn – Vice President of Experiential Operations
- Alli England – Vice President of Premium Ticket Sales & Services
- Ashley Elmore – Vice President of Human Resources
- Kristina Crunk – Chief of Staff
- Silvia Bellot – Vice President of Sporting and Race Operations
According to Prazer, the strong presence of women within top roles emerged naturally as the team grew rather than through forced measures.
“We’ve created a culture where women champion each other and leadership diversity feels not exceptional, but completely normal. Las Vegas Grand Prix has always been women-led, and as a result, we’ve organically built an organization where women hold many of the top executive and mid-management roles. It’s never been about filling a role with a woman. It’s about having the absolute best people in the room.” Emily Prazer
She also emphasized the importance of shifting the focus away from gender and towards performance and leadership quality, echoing sentiments expressed by Hannah Schmitz of Red Bull Racing.
“When you normalize women leading at the highest levels, gender stops being the headline and excellence becomes the expectation.” Emily Prazer
From Race Control to the Pit Wall: Influential Female Leadership
While Emily Prazer oversees the commercial and strategic facets of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Silvia Bellot commands the sporting side as Vice President of Sporting and Race Operations. In this role, Bellot manages on-track operations, collaborating closely with the FIA and race control to ensure seamless race day execution.
Bellot’s career spans more than twenty years in motorsport and includes groundbreaking milestones: she was the first female steward in Formula 1 and the first woman to hold the position of FIA Race Director. Her journey began at just 16 years old volunteering as a track marshal in Barcelona.
“When I got started in Formula 1 20 years ago, there weren’t many women in race stewarding and track operations. I never imagined it could turn into a full-time career.” Silvia Bellot
Today, Bellot leads track operations for the Las Vegas Grand Prix and also serves as Race Director for the F1 Academy, a series dedicated to establishing clearer pathways for women aspiring to enter professional motorsport.
Although the Vegas GP race weekend spans only three days each November, Bellot’s responsibilities continue year-round, particularly through her commitment to growing female talent in the sport via the F1 Academy.
“The more female talent we help get into cars, the closer we get to seeing a woman back racing in Formula 1 at the highest level. I take the responsibility very seriously that there might be a young woman out there right now watching what I do [as well] and realizing she could have a place in this sport too. That makes me proud on International Women’s Day.” Silvia Bellot
Bellot highlights the importance of serving as a role model, especially in a sport whose demographics have evolved substantially over the past decade.
The Growing Influence of Female Fans and Representation in F1
Beyond the event itself, Emily Prazer has observed a significant shift in Formula 1’s fan base and culture. Women represent a growing segment of the audience, which underscores the critical nature of visible representation both on and off the track.
“We know women make up a significant portion of our fan base and continue to be one of the fastest growing demographics in the sport. That momentum underscores just how important representation is — both on track with F1 ACADEMY and off the track in the way we show up for fans through partnerships, merchandise collaborations and the overall brand experience.” Emily Prazer
This demographic evolution highlights why leadership diversity remains vital to creating tangible pathways for women throughout all levels of Formula 1. Prazer identifies three key ingredients to sustaining momentum in this area: representation, access, and visibility.
As the Las Vegas Grand Prix continues securing its status among Formula 1’s marquee events, the women leading the organization exemplify how motorsport culture is changing profoundly, both on race day and behind the scenes.
