By Ed Condran
When the inaugural Formula 1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix made its Las Vegas debut in 2023, history was made. F1 Las Vegas was the single largest sporting event with the largest global audience in Las Vegas history with 316,000 fans enthralled by the epic race.
Expect a bigger event and an exciting contest for year two of F1 Las Vegas from Nov. 21-23. It’s certain to be a scene as the iconic Las Vegas Strip morphs into a nearly 4-mile stretch of racetrack.
Racers will travel 50 laps and travel at around 215 mph while zipping past an array of Las Vegas landmarks. Some of the top F1 racers, such as The Netherlands’ Max Verstappen, Mexico’s Sergio Perez and the U.K.’s Lewis Hamilton, are competing in F1 Las Vegas.
A new wrinkle for the upcoming race is the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli, a single-make series that will contest two races during the weekend. The Ferrari Challenge garages will be in the heart of the Las Vegas Grand Prix Fan Experience, which will enable spectators to see racers in an up-close manner.
F1 Las Vegas is all about the fan experience. Aficionados will have the opportunity to participate in live Q&As and autograph-signing sessions with some of their favorite F1 drivers, and they can see the team show cars.
Fans can check out the F1 Academy car inside the Fan Experience and snag exclusive merchandise and interact with drivers from the all-female series.
Music is part of the F1 Las Vegas package in year two, and there are several top-tier recording artists who will showcase their music. Iconic pop-rockers OneRepublic will perform Thursday. The band, led by hitmaker Ryan Tedder, will deliver hits such as “I Don’t Wanna Wait,” “Stop and Stare,” “Counting Stars,” “All the Right Moves,” “Apologize” and “Secrets.”
The Beaches also will perform Thursday. The dynamic Canadian all-female rock band, who opened for The Rolling Stones in 2019, are an emerging indie-rock band and an engaging live act.
Ludacris will offer familiar hip-hop on Friday. Expect hits including “Area Code,” “Baby,” “What’s Your Fantasy” and “Act a Fool.” Swedish DJ Alesso and Chromeo also will perform Friday. The latter is emerging courtesy of its mix of soul, synth-pop, rock, disco and funk.
There are some cool packages, and perhaps none tops what Lewis Hamilton is offering. The seven-time World Champion is teaming up with the Formula 1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024 on a three-day ticket that tips its cap to Hamilton’s F1 car number, 44.
For $672 per ticket, fans will receive 44% off a three-day West Harmon Grandstand ticket with striking views of the Harmon Straight and braking zone headed toward the final turn and finish line. The experience will be complemented by interactive fan experiences, photo moments and a food-and-drink deal. Grub, water and soft drinks are part of the package.
F1 Las Vegas isn’t just an evening attraction. The Las Vegas Grand Prix will host its initial free daytime event. Race fans will have the opportunity to fully immerse themselves into the world of Formula 1. The event will take place on Las Vegas Boulevard across from Wynn Las Vegas. The experience will feature live entertainment and local food trucks.
One of the best places to witness the Las Vegas Grand Prix is at the Bellagio Fountain Club, which features a multilevel indoor/outdoor viewing suite. The view will be tremendous, and the culinary quotient will be off the charts. Chefs Mario Carbone, David Chang, Alain Ducasse, Masaharu Morimoto and Jean-Georges Vongerichten will offer limitless fine dining, craft cocktails and sommelier-selected wines.
The Paddock Building will be one of the most sought- after destinations during the race. There are a pair of options. Groot Hospitality’s Papi Steak Garage, which is representing the famed Miami/Las Vegas steakhouse from David “Papi” Einhorn, and Ramsay’s Garage from British chef Gordon Ramsay.
Both sites offer a three-day ticket to the race that includes an F1 Paddock pass, Paddock Club Rooftop access, pit lane walks, guided track tours, F1 Podium celebration access, a photo safari and visits to the East Harmon zone.
Enjoy a raw bar next to the pit lane at Papi Steak Garage, which includes Alaskan king crab legs, Golden Osetra caviar and split Maine lobster tails, passed hors d’oeuvres (Wagyu pastrami, lamb lollipops) and carving stations (prime rib roast and Australian New York strip loin).
Ramsay’s Garage will include live cooking stations with guest chefs interpreting Ramsay’s dishes, a pop-up of his London restaurant Lucky Cat and a night celebrating “Cool Britannia,” with a whole tomahawk rack, mini foie fat-baked Yorkshire pudding, blood sausage Scotch quail eggs, chickpea tikka masala and much more.
Few cities can rival what Las Vegas offers the F1 racers, crews and fans, and that ranges from hotel accommodations, culinary options and a truly unique vibe in The Entertainment Capital of the World. Start your engines for F1 Las Vegas!
