F1 hits the jackpot with Vegas GP launch party

It might still be a year away from making its bow on the Formula 1 calendar, but Las Vegas has been pulling out all the stops this weekend to celebrate the return of the sport to the city in 2023.

Caesars Palace was the venue for a high energy launch event on Saturday which featured live car runs, the Formula 1 Pit Stop Challenge, F1 Esports simulators, and car and trophy photo opportunities

Not wanting to miss out on the party, Lewis Hamilton, Sergio Perez, George Russell and Alex Albon were all on hand to join the festivities, as seen in our gallery of pictures from the event.

Hamilton showed off his Mercedes which was underlit in blue neon, but suffered a mishap when he tried a run on the Strip and made some smoky donuts only to end up with the car almost making contact with the temporary barriers.

"I nearly crashed yeah," Hamilton said afterwards. "There was so much smoke, and I had no idea where I was. I was completely lost. I couldn't figure out the buildings so I started pulling out and then the barrier [was right there]."

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali told Associated Press that the Las Vegas Grand Prix was likely to be the most expensive fan experience on next year’s 24-race calendar.

“F1 has a certain positioning with regard to the kind of sport it is,” Domenicali said. “We are going to deliver the greatest spectacle in the world as a statement of F1.

"That needs to be recognized and in terms of price positioning we are going to be on the top side because this is Las Vegas and that is the nature of the customer coming to Las Vegas.

“There will be possibilities for people who want to pay less, to spend less. As always in life, it is the market pulling the price and then on our side is the responsibility to bring a great event.”

“You have American owners that consistently tell you that they want to rival the Super Bowl and I think this is the event that will rival the Super Bowl,” Emily Prazer, chief commercial officer of the Las Vegas GP told Planet F1.

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