It has been over 40 years since Formula One returned to Sin City. The race isn’t being held in a hotel parking lot, though, this time.
It’s at last here! This weekend marks the Las Vegas Grand Prix, which was announced a year and a half ago. It has been just forty years since Formula One machinery was last raced in what is essentially the world’s most glamorous desert.
The final of the two Caesars Palace Grand Prix events that were a part of the Formula One World Championship took place in 1982, and it was held on an improvised track in the parking lot of the hotel bearing the same name. It was not a successful event.
But this time, things are different: the Formula One race will take place on a far larger (if not especially exciting) course that speeds along the well-known Las Vegas Strip and passes the recently opened Sphere arena, which is covered in LED screens.
Because live music and a grid full of 1,000 horsepower race cars don’t go together very well, U2 is ending its residency there. Could this bring Bono face to face with the real Bono, the legendary Lewis Hamilton race engineering star?
It’s a pity both world championships are already done and dusted, but four teams – Ferrari, Alpine, Williams and Red Bull – have rocked up with one-off liveries, and the fact that this is an entirely new track could make for a chaotic race weekend.
The timetable is a bit unusual (more on that below), and the track conditions are set to be on the chilly side (again, more detail further down), but set against the city’s lights it should look spectacular
Let’s hope the racing lives up to expectations too…
What time is the Las Vegas GP? And what time is qualifying?
Okay, so here’s the strange part: the Las Vegas Grand Prix actually gets underway on Saturday at 10 p.m. local time. Sure, on Saturday. This implies that the race will start at 6 a.m. on Sunday, November 19, for viewers in the UK. Bewildered? This is the result because the organizers intended for this to be a night race, and scheduling it then should minimize traffic disruption.
On Saturday, November 18, qualifying will start at 8 a.m. UK time, or midnight (!) if you’re fortunate enough to be in town for the race. After all, Vegas is a 24-hour city.
What’s the weather going to be like?
Cold, huh? a possibility that, according to reports, F1 executives were unaware of. Over the course of the race weekend, highs of 22 degrees Celsius are expected, but only during the day. We might see that drop to single digits at night, when all the action happens, which would have severe consequences for things like tire temperature and the driver’s ability to avoid obstacles. Umm.
At least it’s not predicted to rain, which gives the teams one less worry.
Where is the Las Vegas GP taking place?
You have seen the race’s name, correct? You mean where in Vegas, I see. Our fault. The famed Strip, home to all the major casinos and the miniature version of the Eiffel Tower, is situated directly in the middle of the city, where the Las Vegas Grand Prix is being held.
In addition, Formula One has invested hundreds of millions of pounds in the construction of its own permanent pit building, which will house all of the teams’ garages in addition to acting as a year-round hub for the sport in the city. Those were the days when everyone fit into a Brands Hatch, don’t they?
How many laps is the Las Vegas GP?
The track is 6.2 km (3.85 mi) long, so 50 laps will be required to cover the 300 km plus a little bit more of racing that constitutes a grand prix. Though there are actually three slow-speed sections connected by some straight sections, the layout is made up of 17 corners. There are two DRS zones as well, so maybe there won’t be a parade a la Monaco.
Who’s going to win the Las Vegas GP?
So far this season, Red Bull has won 19 of the 20 races, with Max Verstappen taking the lead in 17 of them. It will therefore come as a surprise if the three-time world champion loses here.
Nevertheless, the teams have no data going into the race, which could make it difficult to determine the ideal setup and upset the standings. In addition, Sergio Perez, Verstappen’s teammate, is quite the beast on street circuits, having claimed victories in Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia earlier this year.
Who knows which Aston Martin, McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes perform the best behind Red Bull? Ferrari is the biggest threat to Red Bull, having won the most recent street event in Singapore.
How can I watch the Las Vegas GP?
Apparently, by not being in Las Vegas. By covering all of the public walkways, Formula One has taken great care to ensure that, absent a ticket, casual spectators will have very little chance of catching a glimpse of the track. Of course, there are sound safety reasons for that, but even so, that seems a little stingy.
Viewers in the UK can access the Formula One channel through either a Sky Sports membership or a NowTV subscription. If everything goes as planned, which it seems likely given the 6 a.m. start, Channel 4 will air the highlights starting at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. On Saturday, the quali round-up will air starting at 11.40 a.m.
If you really must digest the action live even without a screen, BBC Radio 5 Live and Radio 5 Sports Extra will share live commentary of all sessions over the grand prix weekend.
What’s the Top Gear view on the Las Vegas GP?
Having never seen any racing on this new layout, it’s a little difficult to respond to this one, but overall, the Las Vegas Grand Prix is a significant addition to the Formula One schedule that gives the sport another foothold in the US, where interest in Formula One is currently strong. Whatever your opinion of the race and the track, it’s clear that F1 is doing well and that the sport has bright futures ahead of it. Recall that everything appeared to be falling apart when Covid did.
As for Las Vegas, it seems destined to host Formula One; much like Monaco, it capitalizes on the high-spending, party-loving culture, and the race should produce an amazing spectacle when things go wrong. But first, it must deliver on schedule.
