F1 News: 2024 Las Vegas GP was a huge success, nothing like it
The 2024 Las Vegas GP had it all – a record crowd, a spectacular setting, an exciting race with many passes, a 1-2 for the Mercedes team and the crowning of the 2024 F1 World Driving Champion – Max Verstappen.
–by Mark Cipolloni–
Over 100,000 fans attending the race (over 300,000 for the weekend) came from all over the world with the same goal in mind: To enjoy F1, Las Vegas style. Tickets to Saturday’s race sold-out hours before the event’s scheduled 10 p.m. start time.
There is no other race like the Las Vegas GP. In just two years, it has become the biggest event on the 24-race Formula 1 calendar. Sure, it does not have the history of the Monaco GP, but Monaco, due to its Mickey Mouse circuit layout, is just a parade of race cars masquerading as a motorsports’ event.
Las Vegas sets the stage and @Max33Verstappen steals the scene 🏆#LasVegasGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/qQ5Hy4J7qA
— F1 Las Vegas (@F1LasVegas) November 24, 2024
2024 World Champion Max Verstappen said, “It feels incredible to win here today and I am so proud to win the Championship. It has been quite a year and I’m proud of how we handled everything as a Team.
“We started off the season really strong and then it became quite tough; we never wanted to give up and got the best result we could, barely made any mistakes and that is what you need to win a title. We stuck together as a Team and we pushed back really hard and came back stronger. I’m super proud of everyone of what we achieved and also of myself with how we have worked together this season.
“Today I stayed calm and overtook drivers one by one. I tried to hang in there and do my own race, and we pulled it off.
“Ultimately every Championship win is different, so that also makes it really special and it really means a lot to us. I am very proud to be part of this Team, especially as we are now celebrating our fourth World Title. It’s Simply Lovely.”
Verstappen’s team boss Christian Horner added, “This marks the culmination of an epic campaign and a fantastic win for Max. Not just today but throughout an uncompromising year and at times without the necessary tools at his disposal. He has inspired in the cockpit but out of it also. The way he has conducted himself and the way he has worked with the engineers and wider team has been phenomenal.
“Together with 2021, this was one of the toughest years the Team have experienced. But Max has once again elevated himself to another level of exceptionalism. He’s won more than double the races of any other driver, mounting a formidable campaign and at times having to overcome insurmountable margins. On the days when we didn’t deliver a win or when he had everything thrown at him, he has still delivered points. He has been extraordinary.
“Behind the scenes there was a huge effort to help bring this championship over the line. It is something to celebrate here at track but equally back at the factory. I am incredibly grateful for all the work and late nights that went into this success and everyone back in Milton Keynes can be proud of their hand in this championship.
“Ultimately, though, this win belongs to Max. Congratulations on number four Max, you deserve every moment of it!”
This was George Russell’s third win from 126 Grand Prix starts, his second of the season after the first in Spielberg. Mercedes topped every session this weekend on the way to their 60th one-two finish, the last one dating back to Brazil two years ago, again with Russell winning from Hamilton.
With four titles, Verstappen now joins, Sebastian Vettel and Alain Prost in fourth place on the all-time championship winners list, which is headed by Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher on seven titles apiece, followed by Juan-Manuel Fangio on five. Strangely, this is the second time Max has won the title on a Saturday, having won it last year after the Sprint race in Lusail. It is Red Bull’s eighth Drivers’ title, all under the leadership of Christian Horner, in charge since its maiden season in 2005. The team is fourth in driver title wins behind Ferrari (15), McLaren (12) and Mercedes (9).
Media and Fan Reactions
Formula 1 continues to capture the hearts and minds of motorsport enthusiasts around the world with new rivalries and gripping storylines that seem to feature off-track as much as they do on it.
It’s no longer just about the 20 drivers pushing the limits on the track; it’s about crafting a lifestyle brand that connects fans, families, and thrill-seekers alike writes Ben Esden of Dmarge.
The sport’s unprecedented boom has drawn record numbers of North American viewers, captivated by the spectacle and drama. With the addition of a third U.S. circuit set amidst the neon-lit streets of Las Vegas, Formula 1’s presence in the USA has reached new heights.
After last year’s maiden run, the Las Vegas GP has already established itself as a must-see event of the Formula 1 season.
With the debut of the year-round Grand Prix Plaza in Spring 2025, the Las Vegas Grand Prix promises to become a hub of adrenaline-filled excitement for F1 fans to experience for themselves, offering immersive experiences that celebrate the glamour and excitement of the sport, even when the travelling circus isn’t in town.
“The opening of Grand Prix Plaza’s year-round, consumer-facing programming will enable Formula 1 to engage with visitors to the Valley and residents alike in new and exciting ways,” said Renee Wilm, CEO of Las Vegas GP, Inc. “Our commitment to the Las Vegas community runs deep, and we could not be happier to bring this collection of unique and immersive experiences to the destination.”
“I wanted to see Oscar Piastri in person and see his car. It’s a super awesome opportunity,” Alan Xu, from Sacramento, California, a massive Oscar Piastri fan told the Las Vegas Review Journal.
He paid $10,000 for his ticket and it paid off when McLaren, invited Xu behind the ropes of their garage for a highlight photo opportunity.
“Absolutely amazing experience,” Xu said. “I’m typically not a paddock, pit lane person, but I decided to splurge this time around and it’s been worth it.”
“Overall, the organization around this year’s race has been good, and it’s just as exciting as last year,” Xu said.
Ashley Johnson, from London, England, made a spur of the moment decision to make the long trip to Las Vegas after being mesmerized by the lit up track in Las Vegas while watching it on television last year.
After getting back to ground level after taking in the track, Sphere and Strip from the 40-foot Heineken Trophy tower constructed near the intersection of Koval Lane and Flamingo Road, in the South Koval spectator area, Johnson told Mick Akers of the Las Vegas Review Journal the views were even more impressive in person than from what he saw on TV.
Each fan zone has different activities to keep fans entertained when racing isn’t occurring, a touch Johnson said sets this race apart from others on the F1 calendar.
“I said I had to come and see a race here,” Johnson. “It’s been super cool. I’ve been to other races and they’ve been a bit boring, but the Las Vegas GP is different.”
Formula 1’s inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix was huge:
• $884 million in tourist spending
• $77 million in net new tax revenue
• Local workers earned $52M in wages
• Casino dealers made $2,000 in tips
This year it was even bigger and better, but the statistics have not yet been released.
Joe Pompliano breaks down the business behind the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, which takes place this weekend. Joe looks back at the economics of last year’s inaugural race, analyzes why the Las Vegas Grand Prix is one of the only events owned & operated by F1’s parent company Liberty Media, why the Las Vegas Grand Prix has become F1’s most important race, and more