Las Vegas Grand Prix extended through 2027 after a roller-coaster start
FILE- Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg, of Germany, runs a warm up lap during the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix auto race, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
The Las Vegas Grand Prix received a two-year contract extension that keeps the race that runs down the iconic Strip on the calendar through 2027.
Las Vegas was added to the F1 schedule in 2023 on a three-year contract but with commitment from casino partners and a 10-year approval from Clark County for the race to take place along the Strip.
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Las Vegas was on the 2026 calendar announced earlier this week even though the extension wasn't revealed until Saturday at the Canadian Grand Prix.
Emily Prazer, the president of the Las Vegas Grand Prix and chief commercial officer of F1, said the plans are to extend the race long into the future.
'We want to make sure that we're continuing to evolve what we're doing. But the intent is a much longer-term arrangement," Prazer said. 'As we all know, the race has had its challenges, but we're coming out the other side. So we want to make sure that it continues to work for both sides."
Las Vegas has had a roller-coaster start to its F1 presence as the inaugural race was bogged down by high ticket and hotel prices, then a loose water valve cover that damaged Carlos Sainz's Jr. car in the first practice. The valve cover caused a lengthy delay for track inspection and fans were forced to exit the venue ahead of second practice, which ran until 4 a.m.
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In the end, the race was one of the best of the season.
Ticket prices were lowered for 2024 and hotel rates dropped, and ahead of this November's race, the start time has been moved from its previous slot of 10 p.m. on Saturday to 8 p.m.
The race holds a spot on the calendar the week before Thanksgiving and city officials credit the Grand Prix for boosting one of its weakest commercial periods into a money-generating week. November, traditionally one of Las Vegas' weakest months, last year had its most commercially successful month in city history.
Figures released this year said the 2024 event generated $934 million in revenue with $45 million raised in taxes.
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Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Formula 1 is in North America this weekend for the Canadian Grand Prix. This race will take place at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal. Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB21 on track during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on June 14, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec. Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB21 on track during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on June 14, 2025 in Montreal, to Watch Canadian Grand Prix Date: Sunday, June 15, 2025 Time: 2:00 PM EDT Channel: ABC, ESPN Deportes Stream: Fubo (Try for free) Max Verstappen has won the past three races here, but the 2025 Formula 1 season has been all about McLaren. Last year, Verstappen led 42 of the 70 laps in this race after starting second. He beat Lando Norris by 3.879 seconds. Norris led eight laps while George Russell, who rounded out the podium, ended the race with 20 laps led. Russell was on the pole for the race. On Friday, Verstappen was the fastest driver in FP1. That wasn't a shock, but Williams teammates Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz Jr. being second and third was. McLaren was seventh (Norris) and 14th (Oscar Piastri) in FP1. In FP2, both McLarens found speed, with Norris going second-quickest behind George Russel and Piastri going sixth. Meanwhile, Verstappen dropped down the speed chart all the way to ninth. Piastri currently leads the point standings with 186 points, 10 ahead of his McLaren teammate Norris. Piastri has five wins this season while Norris and Verstappen each have two. Verstappen is still in the title hunt with 137 points, but it would be a bit of a shock to see him catch up to the McLaren duo. Stranger things have happened, though, and the Canadian Grand Prix has been good to the defending champion. Don't count him out on Sunday. Live stream the Canadian Grand Prix on Fubo: Start your free trial now! Regional restrictions may apply. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.
