2023 F1 Las Vegas GP: track history, previous races, stats and facts

The Caesars Palace Grand Prix, held in Las Vegas from 1981 to 1984, left a fleeting mark on the world of motorsport. In its first two years, it was a part of the Formula One World Championship, before transitioning to a round of the CART series in 1983. Nissan/Datsun had a prominent role as a presenting sponsor for both races. The temporary racing circuit, often referred to by the media as the “Caesars Palace car park,” was chosen due to its location.

The Caesar’s Palace Circuit was a brief adventure in the racing world, initiated by the high rollers of Las Vegas. It was built within a casino parking lot and remains a somewhat unpleasant memory for those involved.

Initially, it was conceived as a rival to California’s Long Beach Grand Prix, but it never gained widespread popularity, despite hosting Formula One title-deciding races for two consecutive years. It then switched to more familiar terrain for American audiences, IndyCar racing. Even in this new format, it didn’t fare well and lasted only two additional races before casino owners lost interest in motorsport, relegating the event to the annals of history.

While rumors suggest that Las Vegas mobsters had some involvement with motor racing in the 1960s at Stardust Raceway, that chapter had long since closed. By the early 1980s, the glamour of Formula One racing, endorsed by team principal Bernie Ecclestone, captured the attention of Caesar’s Palace executives. The idea was straightforward: host a world-class race, and money would flow in as high-rollers flocked to witness the spectacle.

Las Vegas was slated as the season finale for 1981 after the race at Watkins Glen, when the New York track experienced financial difficulties and failed to pay the teams for the 1980 race. This turn of events elevated the Caesar’s Palace event’s status even further.

The season-ending race should have provided an exciting conclusion for drivers and team personnel. They were accommodated in the main hotel, enjoying the luxuries, lounging by the pool, or taking their chances at the casino tables. While many did, the house generally emerged as the winner.

However, the grandeur of the venue was not matched by the circuit itself. It was squeezed into the casino’s back parking lot, flat and winding due to the limited space. It did provide decent views for spectators, at least for those willing to brave the Nevada sun in uncovered grandstands. Yet, photographers and journalists had limited access to the infield due to the layout.

By today’s standards, it might not have been the worst layout for a temporary track. Subsequent Formula One ventures in the USA would prove more challenging. It had some relatively fast sections with sandy runoff areas, but the slow switchbacks grew repetitive. The lack of reference points amid the concrete walls made it challenging for drivers, especially under the sweltering heat and the unusual anti-clockwise layout after a grueling season.

Former racer John Watson recalls, “You had this totally flat ground and three-foot high concrete barriers so you had very little sense of reference points. It was probably the least appealing Grand Prix circuit I think I’ve raced on.” Reigning World Champion Alan Jones was characteristically candid at the time, calling it “a goat track flattened out.” That might not have gone over well with the casino owners.

Today, all traces of the Caesar’s Palace Grand Prix circuit have vanished, as the developments of the late 1980s and 1990s restored the glitz to The Strip, erasing any memory of the race.

Looking ahead to the 2023 F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix

Fast forward more than four decades, and we find ourselves eagerly anticipating the return of Formula 1 to the vibrant city of Las Vegas. Below, you’ll discover the layout of the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix track, officially known as the Las Vegas Strip Circuit.

The Las Vegas F1 circuit stretches over 3.8 miles (6.12 kilometers) in length, promising a thrilling 50-lap race. According to simulations from the F1 ’23 game, it appears that lap times will hover around the 1 minute and 30-second mark.

Currently, the fastest lap achieved on the F1 ’23 game around this circuit comes in just below 90 seconds, with some daring exploits involving track limits.

The Las Vegas Grand Prix track layout features a total of 17 corners, each presenting its unique challenges. For example, the chicane at Turns 7, 8, and 9 is expected to see the cars slow down to speeds as low as 100 kilometers per hour (62 miles per hour). In contrast, Turn 17 will be tackled at full throttle, reaching speeds close to 320 kilometers per hour (200 miles per hour).

The newly designed Las Vegas Grand Prix track will transform the heart of downtown Las Vegas into a temporary street circuit, incorporating sections of the iconic Las Vegas Strip while passing numerous famous landmarks.

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The race action will kick off on the start/finish straight and navigate through turns 1 to 4, all of which will take place on a freshly laid stretch of tarmac that once served as a parking lot.

Between turns 4 and 5, the circuit will head north along Koval Lane.

Moving from turns 5 to 6, the Vegas Grand Prix track layout will head east on Westchester Lane.

Turns 7, 8, and 9 will see the use of a recently laid road around the location of the Sphere.

At Turn 9, the circuit will merge onto Sands Avenue, leading it westward until Turn 12.

Between turns 12 and 14, the Vegas F1 circuit will head south along the famous Las Vegas Boulevard, also known as the Las Vegas Strip.

From Turn 14 all the way to Turn 17, it will follow East Harmon Avenue to complete the loop before returning to the start/finish straight.

During the extensive stretch between turns 12 and 14 along Las Vegas Boulevard, Formula 1 cars will pass right in front of some of the most renowned hotels and casinos in Las Vegas, promising a visually stunning backdrop to the race.