Concept design of the 14-turn Las Vegas Strip street circuit. PHOTO: F1

BRENDAN LINES MARCH 30, 2022

AFTER 38 years Formula 1 will return to the streets of Las Vegas as the third US race on the 2023 calendar, following an announcement on Thursday.

The famous Las Vegas Strip will be the setting for the street race taking place on a to-be-confirmed Saturday in November.

Formula 1 and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) agreed to a three-year contract, which Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicalli indicated it was the sport’s intention to “stay longer”.

“This is an incredible moment for Formula 1 that demonstrates the huge appeal and growth of our sport with a third race in the US,” Domenicalli said.

Riding on the popularity of the ‘Drive to Survive’ streaming series, Formula 1 was aiming to increase its foot print.

Domenicalli added “Las Vegas is a destination known around the world for its excitement, hospitality, thrills, and of course, the famous Strip”.

LVCVA CEO Steve Hill said the race organiser had committed $6.5m per year to the deal, towards improving “public safety, fire protection” along with of other services provided by the city.

The track design is 3.8 miles (6.12km) long from start to finish with top speeds estimated to be over 212 mph (342 km/h). There will be 50 race laps with three main straights and 14 corners, including a high-speed cornering sequence and a single chicane section.

Formula 1 last visited Las Vegas for its short-lived foray holding the Caesar’s Palace Grand Prix in the carpark of Caesar’s Palace Casino from 1981 to 84.