Hacker News Reader

Barcelona has a proper race track, this was only an exhibition.

And also that F1 keeps all of the direct profits. The cities are supposed to recover that from taxes on associated sales, which never works out.

It's basically all about buying "prestige" with taxpayer money.

From an exhibition? Seriously?

That's why I noted that it's in dispute. I'm not familiar with the research outside of "it's complicated"

I would imagine they do this because it’s a positive ROI.

I’d hope they do it because it’s a positive ROI but I certainly wouldn’t assume so. Often politicians sign up for these kind of things for the prestige, irrespective of economic cost.

It reminds me of the realities of being an Olympic host city:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/24/business/olympics-economi...

In theory, sure.

In reality? not sure much.

Cities compete for the prestige of hosting the Olympics and not so long ago Brisbane "won" the "content" to host the 2032 summer Olympics.

Guess how many cities submitted a proposal for the prestige of "winning".

One.