Forget everything you think you know about Formula 1. In Las Vegas, the fastest motorsport in the world merges with the most extravagant party city on Earth. The result? A weekend where Mickey Mouse races alongside Max, where champagne flows until sunrise, and where the line between sport and spectacle completely blurs.
Night Race on the Strip: Where the Magic Begins
Picture this: F1 cars screaming past the Bellagio fountains at 340 km/h, sparks flying off the tarmac whilst millions of neon lights illuminate the night, and the roar of V6 engines echoing between the iconic casinos. Welcome to the Las Vegas Grand Prix – the only place where Formula 1 races under the glitter of Sin City.
The Las Vegas GP is unique for multiple reasons. First, the circuit itself: 6.2 kilometres of pure adrenaline through the heart of the Strip, past Caesars Palace, the Venetian and the futuristic Sphere. With straights where drivers reach top speeds you’d otherwise only see in Monza, combined with technical corners demanding precision.
But the real difference? The race takes place on Saturday evening. Not on the traditional Sunday afternoon, but prime time Vegas‑style. Why? Because Saturday is the liveliest night of the week in Las Vegas, and because after the chequered flag you’ve still got the whole night to dive into the city for what Vegas does best: party until you drop.
George Russell summed it up perfectly after his 2024 victory: “Vegas, baby, Vegas!” That cry tells you everything you need to know about the vibe here.
The Weekend: Three Days of Non‑Stop Spectacle
Thursday & Friday: The Warm‑Up
The weekend begins on Thursday with the first free practice sessions – naturally in the evening, because during the day it’s too hot and too bright for the real Vegas effect. On Friday evening things kick off with qualifying. Drivers battle for pole position whilst the entire Strip glitters and gleams around them.
The sight of F1 cars hurtling across the tarmac under neon lighting is pure spectacle. And the best part? Right after qualifying you only need to cross the Strip to continue your evening in one of the countless clubs, casinos or shows.
Saturday Evening: The Main Event
This is where it really happens. The Grand Prix starts Saturday evening, with a build‑up reminiscent of the Super Bowl. In 2025 the drivers’ parade is enhanced by live performances from country star Kane Brown and DJ duo VAVO. Then the Disneyland Marching Band sings the American national anthem – because yes, Disney is partnering with F1 in Vegas this year.
Once the lights go out, the field tears through the night for 50 laps. The 2‑kilometre Strip section is breathtaking: drivers hit ~340 km/h, with hotels and casinos as the backdrop. Fans in the grandstands experience every overtake, every pitstop, every touch – this is racing in your face.
And then there’s the championship tension. As the penultimate race of the season, Vegas could be crucial for the title fight this year. That makes every overtaking move, every strategic decision even more important.
After the Finish: The Party Just Begins
Around midnight the flag falls. Podium ceremony with confetti, lasers and often a thundering fireworks show above the city. But the evening is absolutely not over – in fact, it’s only just really beginning.
Directly after the ceremony, a gigantic closing party erupts on the main straight. In 2025 no less than Louis Tomlinson (ex‑One Direction), Steve Aoki and Kaskade take to the stage for live performances. Dancing drivers, celebrating fans, celebrities on the grid – the Grand Prix ends in pure Vegas party mode.
Beyond Racing: The Complete Vegas Experience
Entertainment Overload
Las Vegas is the entertainment capital of the world, and you notice it in everything during F1 weekend. Everywhere along the circuit you’ll find stages where world stars perform. In 2025 the line‑up is insane: Shaggy, Dillon Francis, T‑Pain, Machine Gun Kelly and Zedd provide a festival‑like atmosphere.
There are fan zones with live music, Q&A sessions with drivers, simulators where you can race virtually yourself, and even historic F1 cars to admire. It feels like a combination of a sporting event, music festival and Las Vegas show in one weekend.
The Disney X F1 Magic
This year F1 is doing something unexpected: a collaboration with Disney under the slogan “Fuel the Magic”. Mickey Mouse gives a special show at the Bellagio fountains, complete with Disney music and fireworks. Disney characters like Minnie, Donald and Goofy appear in fan zones and even during the driver parade.
There’s even an exclusive Mickey & Friends x Formula 1 merchandise line. This crossover shows how F1 positions itself as broad entertainment for all ages – from hardcore race fans to families with children.
VIP Life and Afterparties
For those wanting to dig deep into their pockets, there’s the Amber Lounge – the ultra‑luxury afterparty where drivers, celebrities and high‑rollers come together. Unlimited champagne, top DJs and performances into the early hours. You could literally see a world champion and a movie star together on the dancefloor.
And then there are the clubs on the Strip itself: XS, Omnia, Hakkasan – all with special F1‑themed nights and world‑famous DJs. Las Vegas breathes F1 during this weekend.
F1 Academy Finale: Hello Kitty Comes Racing
A special highlight is the season finale of F1 Academy, the development class for female drivers. In collaboration with Hello Kitty, there’s a special Hello Kitty Grandstand, complete with exclusive merchandise and a Hello Kitty café.
“A finale like no other,” according to F1 Academy boss Susie Wolff. “We want to inspire a new generation of fans and show that racing is for everyone.”
What’s Improved Since 2023?
The first edition in 2023 was spectacular but had teething problems. The organisation has listened and implemented improvements:
More Affordable: In 2023 tickets were pricey and only available as three‑day packages. Now you can buy single‑day tickets from $140 (or even $50 for certain zones). Plus 10,000 extra General Admission spots and a free‑access fan festival outside the circuit.
Better Schedule: Practice and qualifying are scheduled slightly earlier in the evening, so fans no longer sit in the grandstands until 2‑3am. You can now get back to your hotel at a reasonable time – or be on time for the late‑night shows.
More for Everyone: Where 2023 mainly targeted VIPs, there are now family‑friendly elements (Disney, Hello Kitty), educational programmes and free public events. From luxury VIP boxes to free atmosphere sampling: everyone gets their money’s worth.
Improved Infrastructure: Better crowd flow, more toilets and food points, optimised logistics for taxis and ride‑sharing. Vegas has learned from year 1’s traffic chaos.
The Marketing Machine: Vegas Goes All‑In
100 days before the race, the entire Strip was illuminated simultaneously with F1 messages. From Caesars Palace to the futuristic Sphere – everything switched to an F1 theme in sync. This “Strip Marquee Takeover” created enormous buzz on social media.
MGM Resorts has invested millions to transform their hotels along the circuit into F1 fan zones. At Bellagio, ARIA and New York‑New York you’ll find showcars from Mercedes and Ferrari, autograph sessions with drivers and special pop‑ups.
The message is crystal clear: this is the F1 weekend you cannot miss.
Why This Weekend Is Different
The Las Vegas GP is more than a race – it’s a cultural phenomenon. In 2023 there were no fewer than 181 overtaking moves, proof that it’s not just show but genuine top‑level racing. Carlos Sainz called it “a great circuit to put on a good race, great for overtaking, a challenging track.”
The combination of high speeds, spectacular setting, world‑class entertainment and the possibility of deciding the championship makes this a unique event in the F1 calendar.
George Russell couldn’t believe his eyes after his first laps on the Strip: “When you’re driving, you see all this background… I can’t even describe the place.”
The Verdict: Must‑See TV (Or Better: Must‑Be‑There)
For casual F1 fans wondering if this weekend is worth the hype: absolutely. Where else do you see Disney characters at an F1 circuit? Where else do you race between casinos? Where else does a Grand Prix end with a concert by world stars whilst champagne flows until sunrise?
The Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix is proven exciting on track and an unparalleled spectacle around it. It’s sport meets entertainment at the highest level. It’s Vegas in its most absurd, extravagant and unforgettable form.
Or as they say in Vegas: “What happens in Vegas, happens at the Las Vegas GP!” And what happens there? That’s something you want to see with your own eyes.
The third edition of the Formula 1 Heineken Las Vegas Grand Prix takes place from 20–22 November 2025. Tickets are still available via f1lasvegasgp.com – but don’t wait too long, because the affordable options are flying out the door.