Formula 1 Fireworks to Start in Las Vegas on November 5th
Formula 1 has announced it is staging an adrenaline-fueled launch party at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on Saturday, November 5th. Just over a year before the original Sin City is due to stage its first Formula 1 contest in over 40 years – on November 18th, 2023 – a selection of teams will give fans rare access to its cars and drivers.
An artist’s impression of how the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix, raced before some of the world’s most iconic landmarks, is expected to look. ©Formula1
“Fans can hear the roar of the engines, smell the burning rubber and witness the power of the cars up close and personal as drivers hit high speeds in front of some of the world’s most iconic landmarks,” states a new press release issued by Formula 1.
It continues: “Fans can enjoy pulse-racing activities, including the Formula 1 Pit Stop challenge – where they get a hands-on experience and can attempt to swap a Formula 1 car’s wheels in under three seconds – as well as Formula 1’s Esports simulators – which offer fans the chance to race head-to-head on the official Formula 1 game – along with additional activations, car and trophy photo ops, and giveaways.”
Time to Celebrate on the Vegas Strip
To add to the excitement, drivers from Oracle Red Bull Racing and Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team will run their cars down Las Vegas Boulevard. The first 500 fans (aged 21 and older) to attend the free launch party festivities will get their chance to gain exclusive access to a complimentary ticket for a private VIP celebration. It will take place that night at Caesars Palace and feature an intimate performance by The Killers.
“We are thrilled to welcome our fans to the launch of the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix. The Las Vegas Grand Prix is going to become a regular fixture in the city and on the global sporting calendar, so it is important to have local fans both celebrate and celebrating with us from the very start. This launch is a small but exciting taste of things to come over the next year when all the Formula 1 teams hit The Strip,” said Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1.
His enthusiasm was echoed by Sean McBurney, Regional President of Caesars Entertainment. He added: “We cannot wait to welcome Formula 1 fans from across the globe to Las Vegas and Caesars Palace. There is nowhere in the world like the Las Vegas Strip, and we know that working with the Formula 1 team, our city will provide a race experience that simply can’t be matched.”
“This November, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to give Formula 1 fans a taste of what’s to come with a launch party at Caesars Palace that combines the heart-pounding excitement of Formula 1 with the excitement and spectacle that can only be found in Las Vegas.”
Netflix Driving Formula 1 Popularity in USA
The last of two Las Vegas Grand Prix took place in 1982. The track was laid out in the parking lot of the Caesars Palace Hotel and was a temporary circuit. The location is now covered by the Forum Shops at Caesars and also the Mirage Hotel & Casino.
Alan Jones, Gilles Villeneuve and Alain Prost racing side-by-side at the 1981 Grand Prix of Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. ©GettyImages
At the time, the sport was not a hit in North America. The races drew small crowds and lost promoters’ money. However, courtesy of Netflix’s Drive to Survive series, Formula 1 has become immensely popular and next year, the United States will host three races: Miami on May 7th, Austin on October 22nd, and Las Vegas on November 18th.
Of course, Las Vegas is commonly called the gambling capital of the world. And, with a 2018 Supreme Court ruling allowing States to legalize sports betting as they see fit, 30 US States now permit their residents to bet on sports. Resultantly the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix is likely to become the most gambled on Formula 1 race of all time.
