For the first time since 1982, Formula One is returning to Las Vegas. This is big news, whether you’re a motorsports fan or simply a Las Vegas resident. Though the race won’t take place until 2023, rooms in the hotels on the Las Vegas Strip are expected to go quickly at exorbitant rates. That’s because the track, which has already been mapped, will run right down the Strip. It’s sure to be a visually stunning experience for those of us watching on TV. But in-person spectators will be treated to one of the most glamorous races in recent Formula One history. Here are the details that have been officially revealed, others that have leaked, and a few pieces of pure speculation.
The Map of the Las Vegas Strip Track
On Tuesday, March 28th, Formula One officials revealed the map for the Las Vegas track. This may be Formula One’s return to Vegas, but it’s also an important first. Never before has the infamous and iconic Strip actually featured in a Formula One race.
The 3.8-mile loop will wind through a series of hotels on the Las Vegas Strip leg. Featuring a total of 14 corners and a lengthy uninterrupted stretch, racers will hit speeds of up to 210mph before making sudden turns during the 50-lap race.
Criticism of the Las Vegas Track Design
However, compared to some of the other tracks in Formula One history, the Las Vegas course is relatively basic. Some fans have already voiced criticism over the track’s simplicity. The choice to have part of the course run directly through the Strip greatly limits the dynamics of the track design.
It also may seem like a missed opportunity that the finish line isn’t on the actual Strip. This design choice was most likely due to a lack of space for the pitlane. However, the glitz and glamor of Las Vegas are sure to make it a stunning race regardless.
All-in-all, the designers of this track seem to have learned from the mistakes of 1982’s poorly attended Las Vegas Formula One race. That track looped around the parking lot of Caesar’s Palace and was lauded as uninspired and poorly executed. Despite the rather straightforward layout of Vegas streets, planners have created a track promising unparalleled atmosphere. Fans of track dynamics may be disappointed, but no one can say that this race will lack character.
The Reality of Watching from Hotels on the Las Vegas Strip
In an attempt to take advantage of the Las Vegas lights, the race will break tradition and be held at 10:00pm on Saturday, November 25th. This is Thanksgiving weekend, typically a time when Las Vegas sees a brief lull in its typical mob of tourists. However, casinos and hotels on the Las Vegas Strip will likely enjoy a surge in profits to rival even a normal weekend.
Spectators hoping to watch the race from the comforts of their hotel windows are in for a reality check. Most hotels on the Las Vegas Strip are too far from the track to offer a decent view from their windows. Even those with Strip-facing windows often have pool complexes, casinos, or parking lots that would obscure guests’ view of the race. However, those who act quick and have the cash may be able to secure a window directly overlooking the Strip. For example, the Cosmopolitan has select rooms that offer terraces with a direct view of the planned track.
Strategizing a Las Vegas Formula One Race
Shutting down the Strip to pedestrian traffic seems like a colossal challenge, but it’s not without precedent. The Las Vegas marathon requires closure of the Strip annually to make way for the runners. The Flamingo will be opening up to accommodate the Formula One cars when they’re not on the track. With both sides of the resort open, cars will be able to enter and exit the track efficiently. Guests will be able to access the hotels on the Las Vegas Strip track through rear entries, similar to the system used on a typical New Year’s Eve.
The Las Vegas race is just one of three planned Formula One events in the U.S. scheduled for 2003. In addition to the Las Vegas Grand Prix, racing fans can also look forward to the Miami Grand Prix and the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas. Interest in Formula One continues to grow with Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali claiming he’s seen feasible proposals for over 30 races in 2023. However, with the Concorde Agreement only allowing for 24 races per season, we’re likely to see destinations shift. Whether the Las Vegas track continues after 2023 remains to be seen, but as for now, the hype is real.
