Las Vegas Now Has a Year-Round Formula 1 Attraction—Here’s What to Expect
From high-tech simulators to indoor-outdoor kart racing, here’s what to expect at the largest Formula 1 attraction in the world.
Photo: F1®
Seemingly overnight, Formula 1 (F1®) racing has become a popular spectator sport in the U.S., and Las Vegas has certainly contributed to that rise in popularity by hosting the annual, high-profile F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Beginning with the first event in 2023, the city has (mostly) embraced the annual spectacle, which shines a bright light on Vegas while also bringing traffic disruption, transit workarounds and other inconveniences that affect locals, hospitality workers and small business owners. But the primary beneficiaries, including the large casino-resort operators and, of course, the Formula 1 organization itself, realize a huge financial boon by luring wealthy travelers willing to spend heavily on accommodations, food-and-beverage, entertainment and event tickets over the weekend event each November.
Casual observers and fans alike, however, can now enjoy an affordable taste of the F1 experience – nearly year-round – with the recent opening of the massive Grand Prix Plaza, located just east of the Strip at the permanent, race-event Pit Building. Three distinct immersive experiences are offered here, in what the organization claims is the world’s largest Formula 1 attraction, spanning more than 100,000 square feet.
F1 Hub
F1 Hub enables guests to experience the power and precision of F1 racing via next-gen simulators that provide an amazingly realistic drive through a virtual representation of the actual Las Vegas course. The bucket seats rock, bump and shimmy appropriately as drivers make their way through the course, passing iconic landmarks (casino-resorts, Sphere and other familiar Vegas sights) that whiz by on the oversized display. In fact, the simulation is so realistic – enabled by advanced motion technology and immersive audio-visual effects – that it caused a couple of drivers to experience slight motion sickness during a recent visit (from $39).
F1 X
If it was possible to experience a thorough, easy-to-digest and nicely-presented history of F1 racing in about an hour, the multi-room, multi-dimensional F1 X exhibition certainly would qualify – especially for newbies to the sport. F1 X is a 4D journey through a technology-driven attraction that traces the 75-year history of F1 racing from its inception in 1950 to today. Full-size cars from several eras are on display, augmented by artifacts and touch screen panels that replay historic moments. In one room, visitors design their own F1 car – with colors, patterns and a custom livery – then see the full-size result magically appear before them in the next chamber. The exhibits continue throughout the entire length of the building, providing complete context for F1 racing in an educational and entertaining manner. (from $79)
F1 Drive
Racing electric karts on an indoor/outdoor course at speeds of up to 30 MPH (daytime) and 35 MPH (nighttime) gets the adrenaline going, especially with multiple drivers sharing the track. After being provided with balaclavas and helmets, drivers watch a safety demonstration before getting behind the wheel for a 15-minute racing session that weaves in and out of the Las Vegas Grand Prix Pit Building garages. Staff are stationed at every turn to ensure safe driving habits, and the karts emit engine noise to add to the realistic effect. Meanwhile, an LED steering wheel display provides additional driving cues as guests speed their way through the 1,700-foot-long racetrack, which encompasses a portion of the actual Las Vegas Grand Prix circuit (from $37).
In addition, there’s a requisite F1 store selling pricey merch, and since this is Vegas, a sleek dining space called “Fuel & Fork” that offers pizza, burgers and cocktails. There’s something for everybody at Grand Prix Plaza, which, evidently, is the principal idea behind this well-designed effort to spread awareness – and appreciation – of F1 racing. And since the Pit Building is obviously a critical, race-event locale, the entire Grand Prix Plaza attraction will be removed prior to the actual race this coming November, then reassembled and reactivated following the event. It’s a magical disappearing/reappearing act that could only happen in Vegas.
For those interested in seeing the real deal, the annual Las Vegas Grand Prix race will be held Nov. 20-22 for the third year in a row, and the F1 organization now has an agreement to run the race through 2032. Ticket prices are down 30- 50% this year, with some standing room-only, single-day general admission tickets starting as low as $50.
