Formula 1 is heading to Las Vegas in November 2023 for the first time since 1982, and it promises to be a spectacular show. The Las Vegas Grand Prix will be the 1,100th round of the Formula One World Championship, and it will take place on a temporary street circuit that includes the famous Las Vegas Strip. But why is this event so important for Formula 1, and what are the challenges and opportunities it faces? Here are some reasons why the Las Vegas Grand Prix is Formula 1’s biggest bet ever.

A Huge Market Potential

The United States is one of the most important markets for Formula 1, both in terms of fans and sponsors. According to Formula 1’s owner, Liberty Media, the US has the largest number of potential fans for the sport, with 121 million people interested or very interested in Formula 1¹. However, the US also has the lowest fan engagement rate, with only 14% of potential fans watching at least one race per year¹. This means that there is a huge opportunity to grow the fan base and the revenue in the US, especially with the popularity of the Netflix series Drive to Survive, which has boosted the global viewership of Formula 1 by 36% since 2019².

The Las Vegas Grand Prix is expected to be the largest sporting event in the world in 2023, with an estimated attendance of 400,000 people and a global TV audience of 500 million³. The event will also attract many high-profile celebrities, musicians, and influencers, who will help to promote the sport and the city. The event will also generate a significant economic impact for Las Vegas, which is one of the most visited cities in the world, with over 42 million visitors in 2021⁴. According to a study by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, the event will create 4,000 jobs and generate $600 million in direct spending and $1.2 billion in total economic output⁵.

A Unique Challenge for the Teams and Drivers

The Las Vegas Grand Prix will not only be a spectacle for the fans, but also a challenge for the teams and drivers. The 6.201 km (3.853 mi) street circuit runs counterclockwise and features 17 corners and a 1.900 km (1.181 mi) straight⁶. The circuit will require a high level of downforce, braking, and traction, as well as good cooling and reliability. The circuit will also pose a risk of collisions, punctures, and safety car interventions, which will add to the unpredictability and excitement of the race.

The drivers will also have to cope with the extreme weather conditions in Las Vegas, which can reach up to 40°C (104°F) in November⁷. The heat will affect the performance of the tyres, the engines, and the drivers themselves, who will have to stay hydrated and focused. The drivers will also have to deal with the glare of the sun, the neon lights, and the shadows of the buildings, which will affect their visibility and concentration. The drivers will also have to adapt to the time difference, as the race will start at 4 pm local time, which is 11 pm in Europe⁸.

A New Era for Formula 1

The Las Vegas Grand Prix will also mark the beginning of a new era for Formula 1, as it will be the first race under the new Concorde Agreement, which will come into effect in 2023. The Concorde Agreement is a contract that governs the commercial and sporting aspects of Formula 1, and it will introduce some significant changes to the sport. The main changes are:

• A cost cap of $145 million per year for each team, which will reduce the spending gap between the top and the bottom teams and create a more level playing field⁹.
• A new revenue distribution system, which will allocate more money to the teams based on their performance and historical achievements, and less money to the Formula One Group and the FIA, which will increase the financial sustainability and competitiveness of the sport⁹.
• A new governance structure, which will give more power and influence to the teams and the drivers, and less power and influence to the Formula One Group and the FIA, which will improve the decision-making and the innovation of the sport⁹.

The Las Vegas Grand Prix will also be the first race under the new technical regulations, which will come into effect in 2023. The technical regulations are the rules that define the design and the performance of the cars, and they will introduce some radical changes to the sport. The main changes are:

• A new aerodynamic package, which will reduce the amount of downforce and drag generated by the cars, and increase the amount of ground effect, which will improve the racing and the overtaking¹⁰.
• A new tyre specification, which will increase the size of the tyres from 13 inches to 18 inches, and reduce the degradation and the variability of the tyres, which will enhance the strategy and the consistency¹⁰.
• A new engine formula, which will maintain the current hybrid power units, but introduce some modifications to reduce the cost and the complexity of the engines, and increase the noise and the spectacle¹⁰.

The Las Vegas Grand Prix will be a historic event for Formula 1, and a gamble that could pay off big time. The event will showcase the sport to a massive and diverse audience, and it will challenge the teams and drivers to the limit. The event will also usher in a new era for Formula 1, and it will shape the future of the sport for years to come. The Las Vegas Grand Prix is Formula 1’s biggest bet ever, and it could be a jackpot for everyone involved.

FAQ

How can I watch the Las Vegas Grand Prix live?

There are several ways to watch the Las Vegas Grand Prix live, depending on your location and preference. Here are some options:

• If you are in the US, you can watch the race on ESPN, which is the official broadcaster of Formula 1 in the country. You can access ESPN through various streaming services, such as fuboTV, Sling TV, or ESPN Plus¹. You can also use a VPN to access other streaming services from different countries, such as ORF TVthek or Servus TV from Austria, or RTBF Auvio from Belgium, which offer free coverage of the race².
• If you are in the UK, you can watch the race on Sky Sports F1, which is the exclusive broadcaster of Formula 1 in the country. You can access Sky Sports F1 through various platforms, such as Sky Go, NOW TV, or Sky Q². You can also use a VPN to access other streaming services from different countries, such as ORF TVthek or Servus TV from Austria, or RTBF Auvio from Belgium, which offer free coverage of the race².
• If you are in any other country, you can check the official Formula 1 website for the list of broadcasters in your region. You can also subscribe to F1 TV, which is the official streaming service of Formula 1, and watch every session and race of the season, including the Las Vegas Grand Prix³. However, the availability and the price of F1 TV may vary depending on your location.

What is the schedule of Las Vegas Grand Prix?

The schedule of the Las Vegas Grand Prix is as follows:

• Thursday, November 16, 2023
  • 20:30 – 21:30: Practice 1
• Friday, November 17, 2023
  • 00:00 – 01:00: Practice 2
  • 20:30 – 21:30: Practice 3
• Saturday, November 18, 2023
  • 00:00 – 01:00: Qualifying
  • 22:00: Race
• Sunday, November 19, 2023
  • 11:30: Opening Ceremony

All times are in local time (GMT-8). You can find more details about the event on the official Formula 1 website¹ or the official Las Vegas Grand Prix website². You can also check the news articles for the latest updates and information³⁴⁵.

How can I buy tickets for the Las Vegas Grand Prix?

You can buy tickets for the Las Vegas Grand Prix from the official website of the event¹²³. There are various ticket options available, such as general admission, grandstands, premium clubs, private suites, luxury hospitality, and official venues. You can also buy single-day tickets or weekend tickets, depending on your preference. The prices of the tickets may vary depending on the location, the view, and the amenities. You can also contact the sales team of the event by email or phone if you are interested in premium hospitality¹. However, you should hurry up, as some of the tickets are already sold out, and the demand is high. The Las Vegas Grand Prix is expected to be the largest sporting event in the world in 2023, with an estimated attendance of 400,000 people and a global TV audience of 500 million⁴. It will be a spectacular show that you don’t want to miss.

Who are some famous Formula 1 drivers in history?

Some famous Formula One drivers in history are:

Michael Schumacher, who won the World Drivers’ Championship a record seven times – twice with Benetton and five times with Ferrari. He holds the records for the most wins (91), the most podiums (155), and the most fastest laps (77) in Formula One history. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest drivers of all time¹²

Lewis Hamilton, who equaled Schumacher’s record of seven World Drivers’ Championship titles in 2020, winning one with McLaren and six with Mercedes. He surpassed Schumacher’s record of wins (103), pole positions (104), and points (4631.5) in Formula One history. He is also the first and only Black driver to compete and win in Formula One¹³

Juan Manuel Fangio, who won the World Drivers’ Championship five times with Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Mercedes, and Ferrari. He won 24 of the 51 races he started, giving him the highest winning percentage (47.06%) in Formula One history. He is considered to be the greatest driver of the 1950s and one of the greatest drivers of all time¹²

Ayrton Senna, who won the World Drivers’ Championship three times with McLaren. He won 41 races, 65 pole positions, and 19 fastest laps in his career. He is regarded as one of the greatest and most charismatic drivers of all time, and his rivalry with Alain Prost is one of the most famous in Formula One history. He died in a racing accident at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix¹⁴

Alain Prost, who won the World Drivers’ Championship four times, three with McLaren and one with Williams. He won 51 races, 33 pole positions, and 41 fastest laps in his career. He is considered to be one of the greatest and most intelligent drivers of all time, and his rivalry with Ayrton Senna is one of the most famous in Formula One history¹⁴