Las Vegas Grand Prix

The inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix turned out to be the best race of 2023. While there was plenty of negativity about the event in the lead up, primarily from locals who were impacted by the set-up, those who attended on race day left thoroughly thrilled.

The event takes place around the streets of Las Vegas. Like Monaco, most of the roads are open when there is no track action. The famed Las Strip provides plenty of action during the race particularly where the cars turn left into Harmon Avenue. Unfortunately there are no grandstands at the point but the next best spot to view the race from is the stand at turn 1.

Tickets to this event were the most expensive of 2023 although all grandstand and general admittance tickets included food and drinks. It’s hoped that ticket prices will come down in 2024 and perhaps some extra stands will be added.

One of the major upsides of this race is the proliferation of accommodation. There are some 150,000 rooms within close proximity to the street circuit and many of those rooms are just a 15-minute drive from the airport in light traffic.

I stayed at two Caesars properties, the Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Nobu Hotel at Caesars Palace. Both were good. The Paris was just a 15-minute walk to the paddock but the Nobu provided the better rooms.

Most of you won’t need (or want) a car given the short walk from your accommodation to the track. Note that in late December 2023, the City of Las Vegas outlawed stopping on the overpasses which carried foot traffic over the track. Many people did this during the race to catch a glimpse of the track action but in 2024 it will land you a fine.

The roads around the track are progressively closed some hours prior to the first track session and progressively re-opened after the final track session and in 2023 there were no support races so if that’s the case again, be prepared for long periods of nothing, but the atmosphere is fun and the crowd enthusiastic.

And finally, when it comes to meeting and seeing the drivers, only those with Paddock Club tickets will get to see them as the area around the paddock swipe gates is only accessible by those with a PC ticket.

This race is one of my favourites and if 2024 is anything like 2023, we’re in for a treat.