Story By: Erin Zollars
File Photos By: Benjamin Rogers Jr.
Las Vegas, NV–
When it was first announced that a Formula 1 race would be coming to Las Vegas for Thanksgiving weekend in 2023, we were skeptical of the race even getting off its feet with all of the logistics involved in closing off the strip for a race. Well, with the detailed plan being released, it looks like the course will involve a good part of the strip and head around the back of it as well.
Here is a look at what they have planned as part of the race.
The street circuit will incorporate many notable Las Vegas landmarks.
- The start-finish line will be located outside Caesars Palace.
- Its main straightaway will run in between Wynn Las Vegas and The Cosmopolitan.
- The route will take drivers past the famous fountains in front of the Bellagio.
It will mark the third U.S.-based race on the F1 circuit. Austin, Texas, has hosted a race since 2012, and a new event in Miami will debut this May.
F1 executives have also reportedly shown interest in New York as a fourth American venue.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has mentioned in a few media reports that the circuit could be interested in going to Africa, the only continent without an F1 race yet.
The sport has enjoyed growing popularity in the U.S., in part due to a Netflix docuseries produced in collaboration with F1 called “Formula 1: Drive to Survive.”
With the increased popularity of the sport in the states and creativity of the tracks they are creating a market for road racing that only NASCAR has done successfully in larger markets.
Building tracks takes a lot of time and resources, but F1 has promised that Vegas would not be any different than what they have planned in Miami this year.
