Las Vegas is set to light up with speed and excitement as it hosts the 2024 Formula One Grand Prix from November 21 to November 23. This year promises to be even more thrilling than the inaugural event last year, which already showcased the dazzling spectacle of racing amid the city's famous casinos. With the title of Formula One Drivers' Champion clinched by Max Verstappen before the race last year, fans can look forward to much more competitive dynamics this time around, especially as Verstappen prepares to fend off strong competition from fellow contenders Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris.
Formula One cars are known for their extraordinary engineering, featuring open-wheel, single-seat designs capable of soaring speeds. Drivers often exceed 220 mph, particularly during high-speed stretches, such as the iconic 1.2-mile segment alongside Las Vegas Boulevard. Here, they'll whiz past well-known landmarks like Caesars Palace, the Paris Las Vegas, and the mesmerizing Bellagio fountains. While motorsports enthusiasts may be more familiar with NASCAR and IndyCar racing, the global pull of Formula One continues to grow, making races like the Las Vegas Grand Prix highly anticipated among fans worldwide.
This year's Las Vegas Grand Prix is set to begin with practice sessions scheduled for Thursday, November 21, at 6:30 p.m. and again at 10 p.m. Qualifying will follow the next day at 10 p.m., leading up to the grand race itself on Saturday night, November 23, at 10 p.m. PST (1 p.m. EST on November 24). Fans can also catch the Ferrari Challenge Support Racing Series on the same day, with qualifying and race events happening on Friday and Saturday.
When itcomes to competition, the spotlight will be on defending champion Verstappen as he contends with Leclerc and Norris. All three are considered co-favorites according to sports betting data. Verstappen's position going forward remains strong, as he seeks to maintain his dominance after winning three consecutive Drivers’ Championships. Although Verstappen dominated the 2023 races, the 2024 season has seen challenges, so racing fans can expect fierce showdowns as the stakes rise.
Despite the absence of American drivers on the grid, the race will still feature impressive international talent, including Mexico's Sergio Perez and Canada's Lance Stroll. The full lineup for the Las Vegas Grand Prix includes:
- Max Verstappen (Netherlands)
- Sergio Perez (Mexico)
- Lewis Hamilton (United Kingdom)
- Fernando Alonso (Spain)
- Charles Leclerc (Monaco)
- Lando Norris (United Kingdom)
- Carlos Sainz Jr. (Spain)
- George Russell (United Kingdom)
- Oscar Piastri (Australia)
- Lance Stroll (Canada)
- Pierre Gasly (France)
- Esteban Ocon (France)
- Alexander Albon (Thailand)
- Yuki Tsunoda (Japan)
- Valtteri Bottas (Finland)
- Nico Hülkenberg (Germany)
- Liam Lawson (New Zealand)
- Zhou Guanyu (China)
- Kevin Magnussen (Denmark)
- Franco Colapinto (Argentina)
For those eager to catch the action, the Las Vegas Grand Prix will be broadcast live on ESPN, with coverage beginning at 8:30 p.m. PST on the night of the race. Viewers can also tune in for the qualifying rounds slated for Friday at the same time. For fans wishing to get up close and personal to the on-track action, tickets are available through the official race website, with single-day grandstand seats priced starting at $399. A more luxurious experience awaits those willing to spend upwards of $5,000 for packages including food and beverages throughout the event.
With anticipated attendance exceeding 300,000 fans over the course of the three-day affair, Las Vegas is poised for both excitement and energy as it hosts this sizable racing spectacle. For those hoping to catch the race without purchasing tickets, last year's event saw several fans attempting to squeeze glimpses through barricaded viewing areas – though local officials have employed even more view-obscuring measures for the upcoming race.
Parks and free alternate viewing spots are limited, but for those willing to pay for the experience, numerous hotels and casinos on the Strip will offer parking facilities, albeit with fees scaling up as the race approaches. Free parking will still be available at selected locations, including Circus Circus, Treasure Island, and more, but be prepared for changes as race day draws near.
With the glitz and excitement of Las Vegas and the heart-pounding thrills of Formula One racing combined, this 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix promises to be unforgettable. Will Max Verstappen cement his legacy with another win, or can Leclerc and Norris shake things up and claim the title? Fans are gearing up for what promises to be another exhilarating chapter of motorsport history under the dazzling lights of Las Vegas.
