Formula 1 is going to Las Vegas from 2023
Formula 1 has confirmed that starting from 2023, a new race in Las Vegas will be added to the calendar. This will be the third race to be held in the US and is an affirmation of F1 owners Liberty media trying to grow the sport’s presence in the country. The track will be a night race on the streets of Las Vegas, going past many world-famous landmarks including the Las Vegas strip with its casinos and hotels.
The news comes after a series of statements made by the CEO of Formula 1, Stefano Domenicali, in which he reiterated F1’s commitment to a growing calendar, which could support as many as 30 races in the future. The success of Drive to Survive, the Netflix docudrama series, among other changes that Liberty media has brought into the sport, has spurred an explosion of interest in Formula 1 from American audiences. However, traditional fans are critical of the diluted nature of the sporting elements in F1 today, noticing that the desire for entertainment and controversy in Formula 1’s management has eclipsed traditionality. This comes after the huge debacle at the end of last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The new track will be 6.1 km long, with 14 corners and three main straights, one of which will go across the famous Vegas strip. The night race will run for 50 laps. The track is noticeably similar to layouts used in Formula E, the electric open-wheel racing series which exclusively races on street tracks in city centres.
Speaking about the announcement, Stefano Domenicali, the CEO of Formula 1 said, “This is an incredible moment for Formula 1 that demonstrates the huge appeal and growth of our sport with a third race in the US. Las Vegas is a destination known around the world for its excitement, hospitality, thrills, and of course, the famous Strip. There is no better place for Formula 1 to race than in the global entertainment capital of the world and we cannot wait to be here next year.”
As it stands, from 2023 onwards F1 will hold three races in the US, including the Circuit of the Americas in Texas, the Miami Grand Prix in Florida and now, the Las Vegas Grand Prix in Arizona. The three races cover east, west and central America, and thus make the sport more accessible for fans. We can’t wait for the new races! To stay updated with news from the world of Formula 1, stay tuned to evo India!
