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What occurs in Las Vegas, remains in Las Vegas, as evident to anyone who has ever gambled. But this does not apply to Formula One, as the sport desires for the entire globe to observe when it races in the center of Sin City next weekend.

When F1 races in Las Vegas, its goal is to be an unparalleled spectacle. In a city known for extravagance, the event must be grand, bold, and truly awe-inspiring in order to surpass the glitz and glamour of the Strip where the cars will zoom by.

The Caesars Palace Grand Prix, held in 1981 and 1982, was not well received by the sport. It took place in the car park of Caesars and the circuit was too tight and uninteresting for both drivers and fans. However, after more than 40 years, the sport is making a comeback in Las Vegas with a much larger and more ambitious event.

The upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix will occur on a 3.8-mile street track located in the bustling center of the city. The main attraction will be the stretch along Las Vegas Boulevard, also known as “the Strip,” which is surrounded by the casinos that have provided crucial support for the race. According to F1, this is not just a race, but a full-fledged entertainment experience.

The house has made alterations to its regulations. The grand prix will occur on Saturday, a departure from the 1985 South African GP tradition, and it will be held at night in hopes of generating a high level of excitement in the city. Similar to the famous fights in Vegas, the race will begin at 10pm.

Earlier this year, Lewis Hamilton mentioned that he could not ignore this race. He expressed that Vegas is a renowned location and it would be a dream come true to drive down the Strip and see all the casino lights. He is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to experience it.

According to Emily Prazer, the chief commercial officer of the Las Vegas GP, the stakes are significant for F1. The goal is to ensure that the fan experience is unparalleled and that the event is on par with the Super Bowl in terms of sports and entertainment.

In a country where the NFL dominates and a city preparing to host its inaugural Super Bowl, this statement is bold. However, Las Vegas aims to change that by making the race an exciting and must-see event, garnering more attention for the sport both domestically and internationally.

“I believe no one is truly ready for this; it is truly the largest event the city has ever undertaken,” she states. “This is the first time that our city will be fully represented. We are striving to showcase our identity and make it a distinctive stop on the F1 circuit.”

This year’s third race in the US, along with Miami and Austin, is crucial for F1’s goal to grow in the country. It is seen as a key opportunity to enter a market that has been highly desired. The event is expected to attract a wider audience, including those who have been drawn in by the popular Netflix series, Drive to Survive.

In order to achieve this goal, the sport is fully committing to it. This is the first time that the owner of the sport is directly organizing the event, instead of making a profit by selling race rights to a local promoter. F1 is investing nearly $500 million to make this happen.

Since 2020, the process of bringing everything together has been a complicated collaboration. This included incorporating the casinos’ collective agreement, which was necessary for the race to be held on the Strip. This was something that previous F1 leader Bernie Ecclestone was unable to achieve, resulting in the use of Caesars car park. Additionally, the involvement of the Las Vegas Convention Authority, Clark County Commission, and Nevada governor were crucial.

A significant portion of the expenses, totaling $435m (£370m) in September, was allocated towards acquiring land in the city center for the construction of a track and a large, permanent paddock complex. The roads have been renovated for the track and, as the race approaches, further developments will involve temporary bridges being built to allow business in Vegas to proceed uninterrupted.

Renee Wilm, the CEO of the Las Vegas GP, expressed her desire for the race to continue for many years. This event serves as a prime example of Liberty Media’s vision for races in prominent cities, especially in a location known as the “world’s entertainment capital”.

Formula 1 has arrived in the desert city to create a stir and will reveal its plans for next weekend. Anticipate it to be just as extravagant, daring, and overpowering as Las Vegas itself, though it may not appeal to everyone’s preferences. Ultimately, its true triumph will likely be evaluated over time rather than in the early hours of Sunday morning when tired fans make their way back for one last gamble before bed.

Source: theguardian.com