Formula 1: F1 announce Las Vegas Grand Prix from 2023
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Formula 1 has now announced that from 2023 there will be a new race taking place in Las Vegas.
This also means that for the first time, there will be three Grand Prix taking place in the United States of America.
The Russian Grand Prix, which would have taken place in Sochi, was cancelled earlier this year due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It would appear as if Las Vegas has now filled the 23rd spot for the foreseeable future of the F1 calendar.
Las Vegas joins Austin, Texas as well as the new Miami event which will make its Formula 1 debut this year in May.
The new night-time race track will be 3.8 miles long and will include part of the city’s famous strip.
The eight-hour time difference will mean that it will be held on a Saturday and broadcast early on Sunday morning in Europe.
The announcement of this Grand Prix is the result of 30 years of attempting to secure a race which will incorporate the world famous strip.
With Las Vegas now being the third Grand Prix event to take place in America, the F1 president, Stefano Domenicali has said: “This is an incredible moment for F1 that demonstrates the huge apparel and growth of our sport with a third race in the US.
“Las Vegas is a destination known around the world for its excitement, hospitality, thrills, and of course, the famous Strip.
“There is no better place for Formula 1 to race than in the global entertainment capital of the world and we cannot wait to be here next year.”
What will the track be like?
The track is set to include part of the world famous strip. It is said to be 50 laps long and, according to F1, will have “three main straights and 14 corners, including a high-speed cornering sequence and a single chicane section.”
What is the history of Formula 1 in Las Vegas?
This is not the first time Formula 1 has raced in Las Vegas.
Las Vegas has hosted two F1 races in its past - in 1981 and 1982. Former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone staged a race in the car park at Caesars Palace casino.
Ecclestone then attempted to work with various companies and businesses in the area to secure a future Las Vegas race, but was unsuccessful due to the casino owners’ refusals to close the famous road.
This time, however, the casinos and hotels are more onboard with many hotel groups and casinos partnering with F1: Caesars Palace, Wynn Las Vegas, MGM and the Venetian have all hopped on the growing F1 buzz.
Why is there growing popularity with F1 in the USA?
The main drive in fans for Formula 1 has come from Netflix’s hit documentary series Drive to Survive.
Many of the F1 drivers have stated their dislike for the way the producers doctor and spin certain narratives, but this has led to a phenomenal rise in the F1 fandom, especially from America.
The Austin GP has been a major success since it made its debut in 2012, and the Miami race is set to see another huge level of interest.
Liberty took over Formula 1 in 2017, ousting Bernie Ecclestone in the process, and this has now made the dream of a Las Vegas Grand Prix a reality.
