F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Button: 'Bonkers' Las Vegas GP will be 'the perfect show'

The hype around next year's Las Vegas Grand Prix is already in overdrive, and it's fully justified according to Jenson Button who believes the race in Sin City will deliver "the perfect show" to F1 fans.

Formula 1's growing popularity in America led to Vegas being added to the sport's calendar as a third destination city in the country in addition to Austin and Miami.

Adding to the glitz, the race's 6.12km, 14-turn street circuit will be laid out in the heart of downtown Las Vegas and will wind past such iconic locations such as the Caesars Palace, the Bellagio and the Venetian hotels.

Button was present recently in the gambling capital to attend the SEMA trade show, where Williams has a stand, and the fact that F1 was very much the talk of the town wasn't lost on the 2009 F1 World Champion.

"I think a lot of people are incredibly excited about seeing Formula One in Sin City, myself included," said the Briton who now lives in California.

"For starters, I can drive to it! It’s kind of my local Grand Prix, so it’s perfect. It’s going to bring something different to the calendar.

"I love the old-school tracks – Spa, Monaco, Suzuka and so on – but a place like Vegas brings something very different to the sport and the race weekend.

"The atmosphere will be electric. Las Vegas is such a cool place, and then to bring F1 into the equation, it will be the perfect show!

"We all know that there are a lot of great shows in Vegas, but this one will top the billing."

  • Read also: Tilke admits facing big challenges designing Las Vegas F1 track

Formula 1 held a launch event last month that drew a massive crowd, with Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton, George Russell and Red Bull's Sergio Perez winding up the fans.

But Button can't wait for the sport's full show to roll into town.

"I’m looking forward to seeing the cars hit the Las Vegas streets in anger after seeing the excitement around the launch event," said the Williams advisor.

"To see so many people turn out to watch even though we are a year away from the actual race shows the appetite for the event there and proved a great warm up.

"I spent a couple of days in Vegas, visiting the SEMA Show and there is plenty of positivity about F1 coming to town in 2023.

"There was a really good atmosphere there - a lot of interest and a lot of excitement. It’s going to be bonkers how busy the Las Vegas Grand Prix will be, but it’s certainly going to be spectacular.

"It will be such a special atmosphere."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

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