The F1 race in Las Vegas is worth attending, but here’s what you need to know

I’m just now recovering from last weekend in Las Vegas Formula 1 Grand Prix. As someone who lives in the Eastern Time Zone and was loaded with work every day leading up to the race, waking up early ET for two days because of the jet lag and still being late past midnight Vegas time really threw me off. Hey, I’m not complaining, I’m just saying what it is some unique challenges to attending a race in Vegas – and the amazing schedule – just one of them.

Formula 1 now hosts three races in the United States: OG in Austin Miami Grand Prix it’s not even in Miami, it’s at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The first takes place at the Circuit of the Americas, the second takes place in the parking lot of the Miami Dolphins Stadium, and the second takes place on the world famous Las Vegas Strip. Three completely different corners of the country, three completely different venues, and as a result three completely different experiences.

I have had the opportunity to attend all three, and in the case of COTA, multiple times since its first race in 2012. As a result, I learned something about each place and decided to share some of the results with you. Maybe this can help if you’re trying to decide which race to run in 2025. And remember, it’s easy to have an opinion about an event from afar, but that opinion may or may not change completely when you experience it in person, so it’s good to keep an open mind.

Las Vegas GP: Pros

• Sunscreen is not needed: I’m not a fan of sweating, so the cold temperatures in Las Vegas (about 58 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit) are perfect for me. It’s just great to be able to walk around the grounds, climb into the stands and enjoy the spectacle in the open air without burning your skin or sweating profusely. In this regard, Vegas is the perfect race for people who do not like hot climates.

• Atmosphere: This is Vegas, baby. Neon lights, Elvis impersonators, incredible billboards and an entire city awash in F1 marketing ready to welcome legions of fans with open arms. Honestly, of all the F1 races I’ve been to around the world, none do a better job of painting the town red than Vegas.

• Internets: One of my favorite things about race weekend in Vegas was the concerts. From famous rappers to the German “electric marching band” – there was something for everyone. I may have enjoyed over three hours of good music at no extra cost. In addition, on the same stage, Formula 1 drivers also came and talked to the fans, various competitions were held and much more. Let’s face it, if there are no cars on the track, you want to have fun, especially if you’re bringing your spouse or family along. The organizers of Las Vegas know this, and they did it.

• hospitality: I am lucky to be a host eBay Motorswhich was up for auction is a sweet barracuda driven by Lando Norris on race weekend. eBay spent a good chunk of money to gather all of its guests in the Champions Club, a lavish tower lounge with a full bar and high-end chef service, with indoor and outdoor viewing areas, celebrity appearances and all the luxuries you could wish for. to imagine. . A three-day ticket there costs about $6,500, and considering the quality of drinks and food they serve, you can probably eat and drink the cost of the ticket. I also spent some time at a Red Bull Energy station courtesy of friends, and that ticket is worth about $10,000. However, I was more impressed with the regular stands one, two, and three, as these three-day tickets ranged from $800 to $1,500, but included food and drink from a variety of vendors (and the aforementioned extra shows). I’ve been going to F1 races for over 30 years and it’s never been cheap, so I really like this comprehensive approach to race ticket packages.

• Logistics: Because the track is in the heart of The Strip, you never have to go very far to get to your grandstand or hotel. Repeat visitors have told me that they buy race tickets based on the hotel they are staying at so their commute is very close – or vice versa, choose a hotel based on where you sit. I know it works wonders because on Saturday when the race was over, I was walking from turn 3 to my hotel room in literally 20 minutes. No shuttles, no taxis, no traffic jams, no parking fiasco. I can’t think of another place where this is possible.

Las Vegas GP: Cons

• Weather: I may hate the heat, but not everyone does. If you want to show off your guns, wear a hat and drink a cold beer under the hot sun, Vegas is not for you. Otherwise, pack a jacket.

• Limited access: One of my biggest pet peeves of the weekend was how segmented the course was. Because it’s surrounded by the city, you can’t access all sections of the course or just walk around it to enjoy the different vantage points. I had tickets for the East Harmon site near the Virgin Hotel and it covered turns one, two and three as well as the paddock. This meant that my ticket only scanned me into that zone. I couldn’t enter other turns because I had to leave my lot and my ticket couldn’t scan me into another. If you like to wander, this race is not for you.

• Schedule: If you’re a die-hard Formula 1 fan who’s used to a regular weekend schedule, the Vegas schedule will confuse you. The gates don’t open until 4:30 p.m., and the action only starts for a few hours after that. The race itself started at 22:00 local time and ended close to midnight. It seems completely inconsistent with most of the other races, and I can imagine it might be anti-climactic for some fans. Also, it takes a few days to recover from an overnight schedule.

• Perception: Anyone who considers themselves a knowledgeable F1 fan will probably scoff at you. They will tell you that Vegas is not a real race, it is not a real track, and that it is all marketing. last time i checked there were more passes there last year than most other races, and this year we’ve definitely seen our fair share of lap-to-lap action. Ignore them.

Choice between Las Vegas GP and Miami

Comparing Vegas to Austin wouldn’t be entirely fair, as COTA is a proper track and the most common of the three American races. I think if you want to stick with a more traditional race, you can’t beat it. Vegas and Miami are much more comparable as they both offer tons of glitz and glamor for their high end party-loving crowd.

Just from the fan experience alone, I think Vegas has a lot more to offer. I had such a blast enjoying the different experiences sprinkled across the stretch of track I was limited to that I didn’t feel like I missed out on anything else. The atmosphere is also quite electric. It was refreshing to look up and see sky-high casinos lit up in neon colors, drone shows and people having fun. It felt like the least stressful F1 race I’ve ever attended in the US and certainly in Europe. There’s a real sense that people are here to have fun, not to be snobbish F1 fans.

In addition, this year Vegas offered a wider variety of tickets at different price ranges, meaning that almost everyone can enjoy a good show regardless of budget. Granted, people with a $150 three-day GA ticket won’t have all the amenities I enjoyed at the Champions Club, but they still have access to the greater spectacle of racing, as well as music shows, etc. As with all sports and concerts, how much you spend on a ticket ultimately determines your general admission or viewing area.

If I had to choose which race to go back to, I’d rather go to Vegas than Miami. The racing is generally betterand it’s more my jam. No matter what the critics say, it’s a good time – and after all, isn’t that why you go racing?

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