F1 Coming to Las Vegas in 2023

Las Vegas, Nevada, is home to endless entertainment options, including concerts, performances, and casinos. However, in 2023, the city will become the newest host of a Formula One Grand Prix race. There are big plans for this evening race, and it’s sure to be an electric night on the Strip. Here are a few more details about the upcoming race in Las Vegas, Formula One racers, cars, and the sport’s history.

F1 Racing is Coming to Las Vegas

F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix
Image via Pixabay

Since Formula One is a European racing league, it’s exciting news that Formula One (F1) racing events are expanding into the United States. Las Vegas is hosting a nighttime race in November of 2023. This is not the first time Formula One racing has taken place on Las Vegas soil, but the race in 2023 will be the first to include driving down the Las Vegas Strip.

F1 is increasing its audience by expanding into American markets even though there are no American drivers yet. Other Grand Prix events in the U.S. include one in Miami, Florida, and another in Austin, Texas. However, the street race’s novelty in Las Vegas will undoubtedly draw a large crowd. Drivers might reach top speeds of 212 miles per hour during this electrifying event.

Location of the Race

The F1 race will take place on the Las Vegas Strip as drivers careen past well-known hotels, casinos, and restaurants. Taking place in a city famous for entertainment and glamour, the thrill of the race matches the energy and reputation of Las Vegas. While tickets are not yet on sale for the Grand Prix, you can choose between general admission tickets, grandstand seating, luxury seating, or the complete hospitality package to enjoy the event thoroughly.

More details about parking, transportation to and from the race, and hotel and travel packages will be released later. However, you can sign up for information emails to ensure you’re the first to know the details of the upcoming race.

Track Layout

The track for the F1 Grand Prix weaves through downtown Las Vegas. The track includes 14 corners, three straights, and two DSR zones. Since the standard Grand Prix distance is 190 miles, F1 drivers will navigate the nearly four-mile track for 50 consecutive laps. Typically, around 20 drivers from 10 teams participate in the race.

The racetrack for the two previous F1 races in Las Vegas in the 1980s was in the parking lot of a famous hotel. Other than the race in Monaco, no other Grand Prix takes place on a street track. Changing the track to navigate the Strip may make the upcoming race much more exciting for everyone involved.

History of F1 Racing

Formula One racing has its origins in the 1890s when Grand Prix-style street racing was popularized in France. However, F1, as we know it today, began in 1950. At the beginning of the F1 racing phenomenon, drivers competed for fun rather than to earn a cash prize, and many drivers put their lives at risk during these races. The cars in the early years used supercharged engines located in a compartment in front of the driver. Over the years, race cars changed, and the sport became a bit safer for drivers.

Drivers compete in a series of Grands Prix races throughout the season in various countries. No longer racing directly on the streets, except in Monaco, drivers can compete individually in the Formula One World Drivers’ Championship or as a team in the Formula One Constructors’ Championship. Race winners earn a large bonus as their reward, along with endorsements from company sponsorships. The race in Las Vegas will count toward both of the championships. F1 is growing in popularity among an international audience, so introducing new races in the United States may expand the fan base of this exhilarating sport.

Participants in F1 Races

Even though there are not currently any American drivers scheduled to participate in the F1 race in Las Vegas, there are several other participants. Drivers typically join a team based on sponsorship. For example, in the 2022 season, Ferrari sponsored Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. McLaren sponsors Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris, and Red Bull sponsors Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. There are many other companies with teams that compete in F1 races. While the lineup for 2023 has yet to be announced, drivers typically come from up to 31 countries, including:

  • Brazil
  • Germany
  • Canada
  • Hong Kong
  • France
  • Japan
  • Malaysia
  • The United Kingdom
  • Spain
  • South Africa
  • Rhodesia
  • The Netherlands
  • Italy

F1 Race Cars

The guidelines for cars in Formula One races change yearly. This is to ensure that cars meet updated safety and speed standards. From year to year, F1 cars have some similarities, including one seat in the cockpit and a 1.6-liter engine. In the early years of Formula One, some drivers ended up in significant crashes, which increased the need for regulations. Now, driver safety is a top priority, which is why it’s important for teams to follow the regulations for the cars used in these high-speed races.

While teams can source the engine for their car from an external manufacturer, the team sponsors design the exteriors of their cars, so there is a large variety of car styles. Each car lasts for an entire season, so it’s also important for these vehicles to be durable. There are a few top manufacturers that work closely with teams to design a car that’s aerodynamic, safe for the driver, and unique. The manufacturers include:

  • Ferrari
  • McLaren
  • Renault
  • Mercedes-Benz
  • Honda

If you want to add the Las Vegas F1 Grand Prix to your next vacation itinerary, you can keep your eye out for available tickets. Be sure to keep up with next season’s races to know which drivers to cheer for from the stands as you watch them race by. Did we leave out an important detail about the upcoming Las Vegas race that you’re particularly excited about? Feel free to contact us so we can include it.