Hello, NASA, is there any part of the moon where we could stage a race? I jest of course, but Formula 1 is continuing to expand and isn’t far short of out- growing the parameters of the planet we inhabit. And until we start flying to our natural satellite or to Mars, we will stick to the equally picturesque landscape – of Nevada’s Mojave De- sert. The organisers are promising to produce the most-watched and spec- tacular sporting event of 2023, which will even outdo the 57 th Super Bowl, held in Arizona. And why couldn’t that be a mad- house on wheels, given that the en- tertainment is guaranteed! Various levels of hospitality exist in Las Ve- gas - basic, premium and luxury. There is room for everyone and all are welcome. To rephrase, even if you only have $100 in your pock- et...don’t abandon your plans - come to Las Vegas! Perhaps not everyone will manage to get up close and see Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamil- ton in person, but the hospitable lo- cals promise that everyone will smell the petrol fumes and sizzling tyres. And another thing worth mention- ing is that someone just might re- turn home a millionaire… You nev- er know. Formula 1 has invested heavily in the Las Vegas Grand Prix, purchasing the land occupied by the pits and the
first section of the track. The price is the best kept secret, so we can on- ly guess as to how many zeros were written on the cheque. Agreement has been reached for the race to run for three years, concluding in 2025. However, it is clear to all that the F1 fiesta in the desert is set to contin- ue for a long time to come. Drivers will have a chance to feel what it's like to drive between the palm trees and numerous casinos of the Las Vegas Strip after dark, as the race will start at 10pm local time and end sometime around midnight. With fireworks, of course. The race- track will also be lit up by the lights of surrounding casinos and hotels, so we can only imagine what all 20 drivers will have to consider as they drive at speeds exceeding 300 kilo- metres per hour. Regardless of how dangerous and pointless this might all seem to some, the drivers themselves have admitted that they’re delighted with the idea, because they’ve finally been offered “something different”.
And the same goes for the spec- tators. F1 fans the world over have bought tickets, from those cheap- est ones – if we can even call them that, given that they cost several hun- dred dollars – to fabulously expen- sive packages. The “Ultimate Las Ve- gas Package”, for example, provides the customer and his friends with three nights each in hotels with five+ stars, a private chef, chauffeur and butler, a personal tailor and stylist, 20,000 dollars of spending money for the hotel where they will stay, a swimming pool, theatre and cinema access, a bar, spa, sauna... And that's not all! Transport by air from the cus- tomer’s home to Las Vegas is also provided. VIP transport, naturally! And let’s not forget the price, though it’s easy to remember: 888,000 dol- lars. But don't worry if you’re short the odd dollar: the packages are al- ready sold out! This is just one example of why the Las Vegas race will differ from all others, and why this midnight desert drive will set new standards. Everyone who feels that energy will desire to return. However, for hard core traditional F1 fans, the Las Ve- gas Grand Prix is not a race – just a venue for the rich and famous to show off. We nonetheless mustn’t forget one thing: without money, serious money, there would be no Formula 1!
Drivers will have a chance to feel what it’s like to drive between the palm trees and numerous casinos
108 | Formula 1 » Formula 1
Made with FlippingBook Online document maker