Las Vegas, USA

The Las Vegas Grand Prix is the most spectacular race on the F1 calendar in pure visual terms. The circuit runs down the Las Vegas Strip at midnight, with the neon of the Bellagio, Caesar's Palace, the Sphere and the MGM Grand as backdrop. It is entirely unlike any other race in motorsport history. The event is explicitly about the spectacle as much as the racing — but the racing itself, on a fast 6.2km circuit through one of the world's most extraordinary streets, has produced genuinely excellent results since the race returned to the calendar in 2023.

F1 2026: 19–21 November. Mid-November in Las Vegas is cool (12–18°C by day, dropping below 10°C at night) — the desert air is dry and comfortable during the day but cold after dark when the race runs. Pack warm layers regardless of what you expect from Nevada. Book accommodation many months ahead; Las Vegas hotels are almost entirely sold out for race weekend and prices increase dramatically.

The circuit is on and around the Strip — much of it is walkable from the major Strip hotels. The Las Vegas Monorail runs parallel to the Strip (east side). Ride-sharing works well on non-race days but is severely disrupted during the event itself. On race night, the Strip is closed to all non-circuit traffic; walking is the only option for those in the immediate area.

Stay on or adjacent to the Strip for the most convenient race access — Caesars Palace (pit straight grandstand is in the casino car park), the Bellagio (iconic backdrop to the circuit) and MGM Grand are directly on the circuit. Downtown Las Vegas (Fremont Street) offers significantly lower prices and a more authentic city experience. Henderson (20 minutes east) is a quiet alternative for those wanting to escape the Strip energy between sessions.

The Sphere — the 17,500-seat entertainment venue on the Strip is the most extraordinary piece of entertainment architecture ever built; the exterior LED display is visible from aircraft approaching Las Vegas and the interior immersive experience is genuinely unlike anything else in the world. The Bellagio Conservatory and Fountain — the botanical displays change with the seasons and are free; the fountain display every 15 minutes at night is the defining Las Vegas experience. The Neon Museum — a boneyard of historic Las Vegas neon signs, each with its own story; the night tours are outstanding. Fremont Street Experience — the canopied LED display covering the original downtown casino street; more authentic and less expensive than the Strip. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area (30 minutes west) — the Mojave Desert at its most spectacular; hiking, geology and extraordinary silence 30 minutes from the Strip.

Las Vegas has transformed into one of America's finest dining cities. Joël Robuchon at the MGM Grand — the late chef's flagship remains one of the finest French restaurants in the United States. Momofuku at the Cosmopolitan for contemporary Asian. The Wicked Spoon buffet at the Cosmopolitan represents Las Vegas buffet dining at its most genuinely excellent. For something away from the Strip, the Arts District on Main Street has outstanding independent restaurants and coffee shops at normal prices.

November nights in Las Vegas are genuinely cold — the race runs at night (10pm–midnight local time) and temperatures can be near freezing. Warm clothing is essential. The race-night walk from hotel to circuit and back involves significant distances. Comfortable warm footwear is as important as the ticket.

Las Vegas is a safe city in the tourist areas. The emergency number is 911. Travel insurance essential given US healthcare costs. The Strip's crowds during race night are very dense — keep valuables secure and agree a meeting point with companions in advance.

The Caesars Palace grandstand in the casino car park directly on the pit straight gives the most Las Vegas view in F1 — the Strip fountains, the neon, the cars passing at 300km/h; there is nothing like it in motorsport. Book a restaurant that overlooks the circuit for qualifying night — several restaurants in the Strip hotels have tables with views of the circuit; this gives you the qualifying atmosphere with dinner simultaneously, which is a genuinely extraordinary experience. Visit the Neon Museum on Thursday evening before the main crowds arrive — the night tour of the historic signs, with the new race infrastructure being built in the background, creates a uniquely Las Vegas juxtaposition of old and new entertainment spectacle.