Fast-paced Racing, Glamorous Events, and Intense Disputes: F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix
The 2023 F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, held on the iconic Las Vegas Boulevard, marked a significant milestone in the Formula One calendar. The race, which took place under the dazzling lights of the city, was the first of a ten-year contract and attracted fans from all over the world.
The race was a night of high drama, with Max Verstappen dominating the season and securing the victory at 1:29:08, followed closely by Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez. However, the event was not without its challenges. The second practice session was delayed and eventually started at 2:30 a.m. due to more than 30 manhole covers being filled with sand or cemented more firmly into place.
The unique layout of the track, designed by Carsten Tilke and Tilke GMBH, with 17 turns and a lap distance of about 3.8 miles, presented a massively challenging course for the racers, as F1 racer Lewis Hamilton noted.
Unfortunately, the race was not without controversy. Several lawsuits have been filed by fans who purchased tickets to witness the Thursday Practice sessions due to the clearance of spectators, and lawsuits from casinos and local businesses are still incoming, claiming millions in lost revenues due to construction and traffic rerouting.
In an attempt to draw in the crowds for the 2024 race, scheduled for November 21 to November 23rd, F1 has promised cheaper tickets. The races will continue to be held on the weekend before the Thanksgiving Holiday for all upcoming years.
The 2023 race was not the first time Formula One had graced Las Vegas. The first race was held in 1981 at Caesars Palace but was poorly attended and discontinued. The 2023 race, however, was met with negative media coverage, with words like embarrassing, nuisance, huge headache, and debacle in the desert being used to describe the event.
Despite the controversies, the race was supported by major sponsors such as Heineken, joined by several other brands for the event. The opening ceremony featured an impressive musical lineup including John Legend, Tiesto, Keith Urban, Journey, acts by Cirque Soliel, and many others.
In a surprising turn of events, Carlos Sainz, after replacing engine components and much of the body and chassis of his Ferrari, had his second-place qualifying spot dropped ten spots for a "penalty" for replacing parts. The first practice session for the race was disrupted when Sainz hit a dislodged manhole cover, causing significant damage to his car.
As Formula One continues to evolve, with new regulations and team developments, the sport remains a source of excitement and controversy. For the latest updates and information about the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix, fans will have to wait for official announcements from the organisers.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix organisers aim to attract more fans for the 2024 race by offering cheaper ticket prices, hoping to avoid the negative media coverage and controversies that marred the 2023 event. In the blogosphere, sports enthusiasts discuss the pending lawsuits from fans and local businesses, especially casinos, claiming losses due to construction and traffic rerouting, and blog about the potential impact of these controversies on the upcoming 2024 race.
