Why is the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix so late? That and all your burning questions, explained
The thrill of Formula 1 is taking its show to the entertainment capital of the world: Las Vegas.
The series will race in "Sin City" for the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix this weekend. It's the first time F1 is in the glitz and glamor of Las Vegas since 1981 and 1982, when Alain Prost and Niki Lauda raced in the Caesars Palace Grand Prix in the resort's parking lot. Nelson Piquet and Keke Rosberg both finished fifth in the two races to claim their respective drivers' championships.
This year's track is much different as Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris will race on the famous Strip in a night race with the city's lights shining down. The championship is already wrapped up as Verstappen won his third straight title at the Qatar Grand Prix last month, but there is still competition among the rest of the grid. Amonst drivers, Fernando Alonso, Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz are all within six points of each other for fourth place; in the constructor's standings, Ferrari is within 20 points of Mercedes for second place.
With traffic jams and sky-high ticket prices, fans have been concerned about the cost of attending the race and what it actually means to the community. Beyond the racing, Formula 1 has embraced the culture of the city. Among the weekend's festivities, there is an F1-themed wedding chapel and the Bellagio is hosting a shoey bar for fans to celebrate like Daniel Ricciardo. Here is everything you need to know about the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix:
Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix schedule
Practice 1: Thursday, Nov. 16, 11:30 p.m. ET
Practice 2: Friday, Nov. 17, 3 a.m. ET
Practice 3: Friday, Nov. 17, 11:30 p.m. ET
Qualifying: Saturday, Nov. 18, 3 a.m. ET
Race: Sunday, Nov. 19, 1 a.m. ET
The Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix will follow the traditional race weekend format with three practice sessions, qualifying and the race. The times are a little later than usual for a race weekend on American soil.
Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix start time
The lights will go out at the inaugural F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix at 10 p.m. local time Saturday (1 a.m. ET) on Sunday morning.
There are a few reasons why the race is so late. First, race organizers wanted to be fair to the sport's European viewers. That is, according to Las Vegas GP Ceo Renee Wilm.
"That was actually a compromise to make sure we are broadcasting at a time when our European fans can get up with a cup of coffee and watch the race six, seven in the morning, very similar to how we [in the US] watch the European races," Wilm said recently.
"So that was actually a very important component of planning out our sequencing for the race weekend."
The organizers also had to find time in order to close off Vegas' busy streets in order to make the race work. With the circuit driving through the Vegas strip,
Organizers also wanted to embrace the culture of Las Vegas, the entertainment capital of the world. While F1 has expanded to three races in the United States — Austin, Miami, Las Vegas — each one has been unique to the vibe of the location.
How to watch the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix
The Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix will air on television on ESPN.
The race will be live streamed on ESPN3 and ESPN+.
Formula 1 Las Vegas ticket prices
Initial entry fees for the Las Vegas Grand Prix were around $2,000 on the low end. The average price was around $7,000. Hotels saw their rates soar in anticipation of the global event, tailor-made for international high-rollers.
KTNV Las Vegas reports that ticket prices have been cut by nearly 60 percent, but it hasn't just been tickets. Hotels near the event have slashed their prices up to 80 percent for nights leading up to the race.
Furthermore, the Grand Prix initially charged fees to any business or hotel that had a view of the race, threatening to build statues in the sightlines of any building that had a view and did not pay. Those fees eventually came down, but it set a bad tone for the city. Never mind all the construction that took place as well near the end of the Strip, forcing large traffic jams across the city for weeks. — Jon Hoefling
Tickets for the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix on resale websites have been popular, as well.
As of Monday, the race was one of the top 10 sports events of the year on StubHub, per the resale company. The average price for a three-day pass to the race was $2,100.
On Thursday, a three-day pass for the race started at $759 on StubHub and $856 on SeatGeek.
Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix track details
The track for the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix runs along the famous Strip. The 17-turn circuit is 3.853 miles/6.201 kilometers around with the paddock located off the Strip at the intersection of Harmon Avenue and Koval Lane. Drivers will wind around the Sphere before taking Sands Avenue to the Strip where they will pass The Venetian, The Mirage, Caesars Palace, The Bellagio and The Cosmopolitan.
With the @F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix quickly approaching, the FOX5 drone gives you a look at the pit building and part of the track.
SEE MORE: https://t.co/9pzJZNRdsY pic.twitter.com/mZRKObvMhR— FOX5 Las Vegas (@FOX5Vegas) November 14, 2023
It has been 41 years since F1 has been in Las Vegas. In 1981 and 1982, Las Vegas hosted the Caesar’s Palace Grand Prix. See the difference between the previous track and the track the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix will be. #F1 #f1twt #LasVegasGP #F1History pic.twitter.com/j8ibcgURum
— Today In F1 History (@TodayF1History) November 12, 2023
Safety issues on the Vegas track
The FIA is inspecting drain covers around the Las Vegas Grand Prix track after the concrete frame around one failed, bringing an early end to first practice.
Carlos Sainz was running at high speed on the Strip when he approached a yellow flag, then hitting something that led to his engine switching off. The heavy impact was audible onboard, and the session was red flagged to allow for the Ferrari to be cleared. At the same time, FIA personnel went out on track to inspect the area, and soon confirmed the session would not be resumed.
“Following inspection, it was the concrete frame around a manhole cover that has failed,” an FIA spokesperson said. “We now need to check all of the other manhole covers which will take some time – we will be discussing with the local circuit engineering team about the length of time it will take to resolve and will update with any resultant changes to the schedule.”
How weather affects Formula 1 cars
The weather does affect the performance of an F1 car. The colder the weather is, the less the tires stick to the track. The extended time it takes for the tires to warm up means more power is exerted. The cold also affects the brakes, which means the drivers will have a harder time controlling the cars and they could face lockups, and it will take longer for brakes to heat up.
That could spell trouble, as the Las Vegas Grand Prix has the potential to be the coldest race in Formula 1 history. Temperatures are expected to be 49 degrees Fahrenheit/9.4 degrees Celsius with a humidity of 65 percent.
The previous record for the coldest F1 race was the 1978 Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal where temperatures dropped to 41 degrees Fahrenheit/5 degrees Celsius.
Who will win the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix?
Max Verstappen (-250) is the favorite to win the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix, according to BetMGM Formula 1 odds. This would mean the Red Bull Racing driver won all three races in the United States in his historic season that at one point had a record 10-race win streak
McLaren's Lando Norris (+900) has the second best odds to win the race followed by Ferrari's Charles Leclerc (+1200), Verstappen's Red Bull teammate Sergio Pérez (+1400) and Leclerc's teammate Carlos Sainz (+1400). Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton (+1800) has the sixth best odds of taking home the trophy.
If you’re new to sports betting, don’t worry. We have tips for beginners on how to place a bet online. And USA TODAY readers can claim exclusive promos and bonus codes with these online sportsbooks and sports betting sites.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix start time, schedule, track safety
