What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, is it said. But ever since its inception in 2023, the Las Vegas Grand Prix has become, as expectedly, a show-stopping event in the world of Formula 1. After all, it is placing the most glamorous form of MotorRacing in one of the most glamorous parts of the world.
At the core, the Las Vegas Grand Prix brings forth a melange of Money and Motorsport. But at the outset, high stakes, in both racing thanks to incessant speed and the excessive of gambling do suggest as if the Las Vegas GP was always going to happen.
Think about it: the fastest form of Motor-racing and the flamboyance of a city that is dubbed ‘Sin City’; an exciting combination, one would think, and perhaps rightly so.
The 50-lap race spread over a distance of 190.5 miles is a crowd puller besides being a reason for exciting critics (as most things in life anyways do).
Moreover, it gives the culture of Motorsport a great push in a country obsessed with fast food, popping one medicine too many for weight control, the Marvel Universe and several others things to marvel at, such as- but not restricted to- the Yosemite National Park, Top Gun (not just the movie), Owen Wilson’s unkempt hair, MJ’s Moonwalk, the Military Industrial Complex, Langley (of course), the great Abe Lincoln and not to forget, Disneyland.
That said, what happened at the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix, circa 2023?
| First held in | Winning Driver | Winning Constructor | Fastest Lap time | Pole Position |
| 2023 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | Oscar Pastri (1:35:490) lap 47 | Charles Leclerc (1:32:726) |
In a dazzling first-ever F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix under the bright neon lights, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, back then as dominant as ever, glided to victory for Red Bull. In so doing, he delivered a masterclass in control and pace. Starting from off the front despite Ferrari’s Monegasque prince taking pole, the Dutchman carved his way through the glittering street circuit, taking command early and never letting go.
However, Charles Leclerc, who had dazzled in qualifying with a superb 1:32.726 lap for pole position, looked strong but that was that; Verstappen’s composure and Red Bull’s race pace proved too much to handle.
Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri lit up the night by setting the fastest lap of the race (1:35.490 on lap 47), a reminder of McLaren’s promise and his own raw speed.
While some drivers battled for position in the shadows of the city lights, Verstappen dictated the rhythm up front being true to his embattled style and verve. His measured approach kept tyre wear in check, and his cool under pressure never wavered.
By the time he crossed the finish line, he’d firmly stamped his authority on this new venue, making history in a race that felt as much like a performance as it did a win. The 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix had arrived in spectacular fashion, and Red Bull’s star once again proved untouchable under the glitz.
It could be said that back in 2023, the Las Vegas strip circuit, with its winding turns and long straights, became a battleground of strategy and grit. It will still be that way unless the stormy weather and flooding take ground control to play spoilsport in what lies ahead.
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