F1 2023 Las Vegas GP Pre-Race Thread

I don't wish them to fail as such, but this event brings several questions about Liberty's motivations.
This is after all a F1 race, and some of the fundamentals come short of expectation.
The track layout, the timing, or the weather conditions concerns seem to have taken a back seat to the entertainement.
Maybe they have build up the Las Vegas GP as a model of what they expect F1 to become at other locations.
In that case, it's scary.

 

I can see changes coming but that decision will be based on viewing numbers and money made. The racing is already suffering with such poor planning based on start time and temp expected via the weather. The racing was clearly not the focus to me.

 

Lord Hesketh launched James Hunt career; that's his legacy.

 

We agree on something? OMG. It's getting cold here....

 

Full course run through by the SC. Track is wet in spots from rain earlier. Yeah that pit exit seems less than ideal. We'll see how it plays out on race day.

Some of the turns seem a bit weird, almost doubling back on themselves. But I guess that's the nature of a street course, there will be imperfections in the route.

 

Alfa romeo
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

No kidding. Some bubbly and a few naughty girls in a dirt paddock are a bit different from seven figure laser shows….and five days before the race.

 

Shame they didn't spend the money to improve the car on the track. Call it the "Vegas Effect?"

 

Just watched Inside Track: The Business of Formula 1. They talked a bit about Vegas and it is obvious Liberty is in F1 just for the money.
The Vegas CEO wasn’t very apologetic for the prices - she compares the event to the Super Bowl and the World Series - neither of which have a very large European fan base. It’s a huge entertainment show/money grab, where coincidentally an F1 race is scheduled to happen while the TV audience sleeps.

 

My seats! Awesome views of the track and Sphere. I’m actually a lot closer than these photos show.

Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

More this this.

Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Seems to have done well since the 1950s without a US audience

 

Apparently Haas’s plan for bespoke livery was, “Aw, **** it.”

Image Unavailable, Please Login

hat tip @jgonzalesm6

 

The ontrack competition is merely a sideshow to this visual spectacular. What BS.

 

Hotel room but waking to seats now

Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Not my fault Max ran away with the year.

have a little fun. It won’t hurt ya. People here are living it.

 

Great. Red flag. Session over.

Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

But this is 2023, quickly going to 2024.

 

Seeing the cars on track and the track itself. It is quite an achievement for those involved to have made this happen. Driving on those roads just a month ago and seeing the finished product. It is very cool seeing the lights of the strip on a circuit.

I’m cynical about the show part of the weekend but understand that it’s Vegas. Vegas IS an extravagant show. Like me, most dont like it but, it's fun. Have a laugh and watch the bits you like.

Oh……and let’s be fair. Monaco is no longer a race either. It’s just a show.

 

.

 

Not looking good for FP2

 

Loved seeing Toto blow up on reporters during the team principal interview.

James Vowles is such an intelligent and well spoken individual. Loved his Beyond the Grid interview as well. Huge respect!

 

Agree! Not a big fan of Toto, but props to him for his response.

 

The cars on track look spectacular! FP2 was great to watch. Funny to hear Martin comment on “cigarettes”. lol Legalization of weed has produced some “interesting” smells as you drive down the strip or walk through the casinos.