2023 Formula 1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix

Inaugural F1 Race on the Las Vegas Strip

Formula One made a spectacular return to Las Vegas for its inaugural race Nov 18th where the new 6.2km, 17-turn street circuit included running down the famous Las Vegas Strip.

The third and newest US race added to the calendar featured a night race with the dazzling strip lights and glamour that comes along with Vegas nightlife.

Preparation for the race was a massive effort bringing the city of Las Vegas and F1 together to turn the famous strip into a full blown race circuit. Designed by Tilke GMbH, the street circuit came to life by way of building barriers, setting up lighting and seating and repaving the entire track to meet F1 standards.

With no existing race facilities, Formula One also purchased land to build a permanent pit and paddock used for the race weekends. Within a year from its Launch Party in 2022, the city of Las Vegas was transformed and ready to host the biggest event to date.

For race fans that are new to F1, the event was not just the race itself, but a full week leading up to the race on Saturday night.

Teams, drivers, media and fans from all over the world arrived in Las Vegas days before the race. For teams, it was a new venue and facilities to learn, and for the drivers learning a new track. The lead up to the race itself consisted of media days, marketing activations as well as FP (Free Practice) sessions and Qualifying for teams and drivers.

Las Vegas and F1 spared no expense in making the event as extravagant as ever! The entertainment, experience and racing was like no other. A who’s who of famous celebrities, musicians and performers from around the globe were in attendance to kick off an exciting race weekend.

Qualifying

Heading to Las Vegas, points leader Max Verstappen was in control of the driver championship. With the track being a new layout for everyone, drivers took their time getting accustomed as they went out for their first laps. New race circuits especially with new paving are always a tricky situation for the drivers as the surface was very slick and slippery. Over time throughout the practice sessions as racing lines were defined and rubber laid down grip tire grip improved, drivers got quicker, and times started dropping.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc topped the first two practice sessions (FP1 and FP2), while Mercedes George Russell topped FP3. After an excited qualifying session, Charles Leclerc emerged in P1 to start on pole.

Race Recap

Saturday’s 50-lap race started out with the lights going out and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen who started alongside Leclerc dive to the inside of Turn 1 taking the lead.

As the race unfolded, there was a VSC (Virtual Safety Car) which ended on lap 3, but shortly after a full safety car due to Mclaren’s Lando Norris losing control going through turn 11. The safety car allowed other drivers to take advantage for an early pit stop. Both Leclerc and Verstappen were still out in front of the rest of the field when Verstappen started to complain about tyre issues and being called in to pit. With Verstappen struggling, Leclerc found himself regaining the lead on lap 16 to the cheer of the crowd.

Battles further down the field between Mercedes Lewis Hamilton and Mclaren’s Oscar Piastri were happening with it resulting in a puncture for the Mercedes.

Drivers on different race strategies and tire compounds forced them to come in for their first pit stops. With the lead changes after stops, Verstappen and Leclerc found themselves having to battle their way back to the front. While charging back towards the front, the Red Bull of Verstappen made a move on the Mercedes of Russell causing contact and spreading debris all over bringing out another Safety Car.

Aston Martin, Kick Sauber, Haas and Mercedes took advantage of the incident and went in for another stop under the Safety Car leaving Leclerc in P1. Once the restart happened, positions changed quickly with Piastri getting ahead of Alpines Pierre Gasly to P3 and the second Red Bull car of Sergio Perez finally getting ahead of Leclerc. Leclerc returned the favor by getting back past Perez at turn 14 with Verstappen closing in again in second. With 10 laps to go, Verstappen made a move at the same turn 14 on Leclerc to re-take the lead.

Verstappen went on to finish the race in first with Charles Leclerc in second and Perez in third. Aston Martin had both of its drivers finish in the top 10 for a double-points finish.

The event previously criticized by Verstappen for being too excessive, told reporters after winning, that he enjoyed the race and was looking forward to coming back for 2024.

Vegas went all in and delivered, showcasing an exciting and entertaining race experience. Let’s see if they can up the ante for the 2024 race.