F1 on the Strip: Las Vegas Grand Prix to return in 2023 as Saturday night race

F1 cars will race down the Las Vegas Strip in 2023: the first Saturday grand prix for almost 40 years

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Las Vegas F1 track map

Formula 1 will return to Las Vegas in 2023 for a Saturday night race along the famous Strip, 41 years after the city last hosted a grand prix.

The series has been targeting extra races in the United States ever since it was taken over by Liberty Media and, before the first edition of the new Miami Grand Prix has even taken place, a third round in America has been confirmed.

The Las Vegas Grand Prix was announced by way of a glitzy launch event on top of the Cosmopolitan hotel overlooking the section of the Strip that will be used by the track. The layout includes a chicane complex as the circuit leaves the Strip at Turns 11, 12 and 13.

F1 cars racing past Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas GP render

Cars will race past the Bellagio fountains on the Strip

Tilke Design and Architects

Next year’s inaugural 50-lap event will take place in November and runs past a number of iconic landmarks including the Bellagio fountains and Caesars Palace as part of a long stretch along the Strip that will see cars reach over 212mph.

The 3.8-mile long track will also incorporate a loop around the new 112m-tall MSG Sphere venue, which will be surrounded in LED light panels when completed. The circuit will have a bespoke pit and paddock area behind the multiple famous resorts.

From the archive

The last time F1 raced on a Saturday was the 1985 South African Grand Prix at Kyalami, but the pull of hosting the sport in Las Vegas will see the Strip closed down for a prime-time US evening slot. Live coverage for European audiences will be in the early hours of Sunday morning.

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali says the event fits with the sport’s desire to be in destination cities, as it will race through the most famous section of Las Vegas.

“This is an incredible moment for Formula 1 that demonstrates the huge appeal and growth of our sport with a third race in the US,” Domenicali said. “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. I want to thank everyone who helped deliver this event, especially Governor Sisolak, the Clark County Commission, Steve Hill at the LVCVA, and our local partners.”

Las Vegas strip F1 race

Formula 1 and owner Liberty Media will be joint promoters of the race, in partnership with Live Nation Entertainment and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA); a unique set-up compared to most races on the calendar.

From the archive

It indicates F1’s desire to make the race happen, with multiple other stakeholders in Las Vegas involved as partners, and a similar approach could be used elsewhere to further expand the calendar. The length of the deal has not been revealed.

“Iconic Las Vegas and Formula 1, the pinnacle of motorsport, is the perfect marriage of speed and glamour,” Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei said. “Our confidence in this unique opportunity is evident in our decision to assume the promoter role for the Las Vegas Grand Prix in partnership with Live Nation. We could not be more excited to work with our local partners to create a marquee event.

“The potential of Formula 1 has been well demonstrated over the last several seasons and the Las Vegas GP will only take it to the next level.”

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