F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix LIVE: Opening ceremony updates and news from Sin City
F1 heads to the US again for the highly-anticipated Las Vegas Grand Prix on the world-famous strip and the penultimate race of the 2023 season.
Max Verstappen won his 17th grand prix of a sensational season last time out in Brazil, with Lando Norris claiming second place once again and Fernando Alonso clinching third spot ahead of Sergio Perez after a tremendous late battle in Interlagos.
Mercedes endured a torrid weekend to forget in Sao Paulo, while Charles Leclerc was forced to retire before the race even began due to a mechanical issue with his Ferrari car.
F1 now returns to Vegas for the first time in 41 years for a 50-lap race around the picturesque 3.8 mile, 17-turn circuit. The race has a 10-year contract and will take place under the lights on Saturday night in Sin City. There will also be a unique opening ceremony tonight.
Follow live updates from the Las Vegas Grand Prix with The Independent
F1 LAS VEGAS GRAND PRIX - OPENING CEREMONY
The opening ceremony for the Las Vegas Grand Prix took place earlier
All the drivers were introduced to the crowd on the home straight
Lewis Hamilton makes F1 ‘circus’ plea after backlash from Las Vegas locals
Opening ceremony driver introductions!
08:21 , Kieran Jackson
A spectacular introduction for our teams in Vegas 🤩#F1 #LasVegasGP pic.twitter.com/2Cx2VeJz4i
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 16, 2023
How Formula 1 cracked America
07:57 , Kieran Jackson
Long read by Kieran Jackson
The setting is the Indianapolis Motor Speedway: home to the world-famous Indy 500 race. Ahead of the 2005 United States Grand Prix, at a circuit modified for Formula 1, ITV pundit and former F1 driver Martin Brundle is interviewing the sport’s long-term supremo and commander-in-chief Bernie Ecclestone on the grid. And you may well say, nothing unusual about that.
What is more unusual is Brundle’s direct, bordering on combative, line of questioning. A huddle of camera crew and journalists huddle around, eager for answers. Because F1’s only race in the land of the free is about to become a farce. Out of 20 cars, only six take to the start line. For the sport and its tempestuous 55-year relationship with the US, it is the ultimate moment of absurdity. “The future of Formula 1 in America?” asks Brundle. “Not good,” Ecclestone replies.
It is a far cry from where the sport is stateside now. Formula 1 is pushing boundaries and breaking the glass ceiling in a manner which would be unambiguously imposing if it wasn’t in the United States. There are now three races, with this week’s grand prix on the Las Vegas strip following on from a highly successful rebirth of the US Grand Prix in Austin and a street track in Miami.
After 75 races at 11 different American venues, F1 has finally cracked the American code.
Full feature below:
What is the race schedule?
07:15 , Kieran Jackson
The next race weekend of the 2023 season, the Las Vegas Grand Prix, takes place from Friday 17 November - Sunday 19 November in the UK as F1 returns to Vegas.
The schedule is as follows: first practice takes place at 4:30am (GMT) on Friday with second practice at 8am.
On Saturday, the third practice session is at 4:30am before qualifying at 8am (GMT) - that’s midnight local time on Friday night.
The race on Sunday morning has a start time of 6am (GMT), which is 10pm on Saturday night in Vegas.
How Formula 1 cracked America
06:44 , Kieran Jackson
Long read by Kieran Jackson
The setting is the Indianapolis Motor Speedway: home to the world-famous Indy 500 race. Ahead of the 2005 United States Grand Prix, at a circuit modified for Formula 1, ITV pundit and former F1 driver Martin Brundle is interviewing the sport’s long-term supremo and commander-in-chief Bernie Ecclestone on the grid. And you may well say, nothing unusual about that.
What is more unusual is Brundle’s direct, bordering on combative, line of questioning. A huddle of camera crew and journalists huddle around, eager for answers. Because F1’s only race in the land of the free is about to become a farce. Out of 20 cars, only six take to the start line. For the sport and its tempestuous 55-year relationship with the US, it is the ultimate moment of absurdity. “The future of Formula 1 in America?” asks Brundle. “Not good,” Ecclestone replies.
It is a far cry from where the sport is stateside now. Formula 1 is pushing boundaries and breaking the glass ceiling in a manner which would be unambiguously imposing if it wasn’t in the United States. There are now three races, with this week’s grand prix on the Las Vegas strip following on from a highly successful rebirth of the US Grand Prix in Austin and a street track in Miami.
After 75 races at 11 different American venues, F1 has finally cracked the American code.
Full feature below:
Lewis Hamilton makes F1 ‘circus’ plea after backlash from Las Vegas locals
06:13 , Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton insists locals living in Las Vegas “can’t be negatively affected” by Formula 1’s arrival in the city this week – and the sport should not turn into a “circus.”
F1 holds its first grand prix in Vegas for more than 40 years this weekend, with a brand new street circuit which sees cars speed down the world-famous strip at over 200mph.
But there has been a backlash among some locals due to the disruption caused by the construction of the track, including a $500m pit building facility.
Tourists and taxi drivers have voiced their annoyance following traffic delays throughout the city as a result of road closures – and seven-time F1 world champion Hamilton believes the sport must stay “respectful” to locals.
Full piece below;
Lewis Hamilton makes F1 ‘circus’ plea after backlash from Las Vegas locals
Toto Wolff fuelled by ‘personal anger’ to help Lewis Hamilton win eighth title
05:44 , Kieran Jackson
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said he is fuelled by a personal anger and drive to help Lewis Hamilton win the record eighth world championship he was denied in Abu Dhabi.
In an interview with the PA news agency ahead of this weekend’s blockbuster Las Vegas Grand Prix, team principal Wolff also revealed his own succession plan at Mercedes – in which he plans to skip as many as 10 races each season – and claimed Hamilton, 38, could compete in Formula One for at least another five years.
Wolff has arrived in Sin City for the inaugural night race on the Las Vegas strip following Mercedes’ abysmal performance last time out in Brazil – one he described as the worst of his career.
Full piece below:
Toto Wolff fuelled by ‘personal anger’ to help Lewis Hamilton win eighth title
Opening ceremony!
04:41 , Kieran Jackson
The Las Vegas Grand Prix Opening Ceremony is LIVE! 🌟#LasVegasGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/Eg5dwTNfjR
— F1 Las Vegas (@F1LasVegas) November 16, 2023
Sphere!
04:10 , Kieran Jackson
It’s all getting very, very exciting 🤩#F1 #LasVegasGP @SphereVegas pic.twitter.com/641gSIcLL3
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 16, 2023
Opening ceremony time!
03:50 , Kieran Jackson
Sundown, lights up... here come the drivers 🙌#F1 #LasVegasGP pic.twitter.com/e4w7WBPrdk
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 16, 2023
Toto Wolff fuelled by ‘personal anger’ to help Lewis Hamilton win eighth title
03:44 , Kieran Jackson
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said he is fuelled by a personal anger and drive to help Lewis Hamilton win the record eighth world championship he was denied in Abu Dhabi.
In an interview with the PA news agency ahead of this weekend’s blockbuster Las Vegas Grand Prix, team principal Wolff also revealed his own succession plan at Mercedes – in which he plans to skip as many as 10 races each season – and claimed Hamilton, 38, could compete in Formula One for at least another five years.
Wolff has arrived in Sin City for the inaugural night race on the Las Vegas strip following Mercedes’ abysmal performance last time out in Brazil – one he described as the worst of his career.
Full piece below:
Toto Wolff fuelled by ‘personal anger’ to help Lewis Hamilton win eighth title
Opening ceremony!
03:27 , Kieran Jackson
The opening ceremony for the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix is about to get underway!
‘I would not be shocked if King Charles showed up’: Las Vegas opens its doors to Formula One
03:17 , Kieran Jackson
Las Vegas opens its doors to Formula One this week ahead of the inaugural race on the city strip – and anticipation is at fever pitch.
After more than three years of planning and $500m spent on a state-of-the-art pit building, F1 is on the cusp of its ultimate moment in the American spotlight in the entertainment capital of the world.
While the penultimate race of the 2023 season won’t have an impact at the top of the world championship standings, with Max Verstappen having already claimed the title last month in Qatar, the third US race of the year will be unique in the fact it takes place on Saturday night at 10pm local time (6am GMT, Sunday morning).
Full piece below:
‘I would not be shocked if King Charles showed up’: Las Vegas opens its doors to F1
Constructors’ Championship
02:57 , Kieran Jackson
1) Red Bull - 782 points (champions)
2) Mercedes - 382 points
3) Ferrari - 362 points
4) McLaren - 282 points
5) Aston Martin - 261 points
6) Alpine - 108 points
7) Williams - 28 points
8) AlphaTauri - 21 points
9) Alfa Romeo - 16 points
10) Haas - 12 points
How Formula 1 cracked America
02:44 , Kieran Jackson
Long read by Kieran Jackson
The setting is the Indianapolis Motor Speedway: home to the world-famous Indy 500 race. Ahead of the 2005 United States Grand Prix, at a circuit modified for Formula 1, ITV pundit and former F1 driver Martin Brundle is interviewing the sport’s long-term supremo and commander-in-chief Bernie Ecclestone on the grid. And you may well say, nothing unusual about that.
What is more unusual is Brundle’s direct, bordering on combative, line of questioning. A huddle of camera crew and journalists huddle around, eager for answers. Because F1’s only race in the land of the free is about to become a farce. Out of 20 cars, only six take to the start line. For the sport and its tempestuous 55-year relationship with the US, it is the ultimate moment of absurdity. “The future of Formula 1 in America?” asks Brundle. “Not good,” Ecclestone replies.
It is a far cry from where the sport is stateside now. Formula 1 is pushing boundaries and breaking the glass ceiling in a manner which would be unambiguously imposing if it wasn’t in the United States. There are now three races, with this week’s grand prix on the Las Vegas strip following on from a highly successful rebirth of the US Grand Prix in Austin and a street track in Miami.
After 75 races at 11 different American venues, F1 has finally cracked the American code.
Full feature below:
Driver Standings
02:28 , Kieran Jackson
1) Max Verstappen - 524 points (champion)
2) Sergio Perez - 258 points
3) Lewis Hamilton - 226 points
4) Fernando Alonso - 198 points
5) Lando Norris - 195 points
6) Carlos Sainz - 192 points
7) Charles Leclerc - 170 points
8) George Russell - 156 points
9) Oscar Piastri - 87 points
10) Lance Stroll - 63 points
11) Pierre Gasly - 62 points
12) Esteban Ocon - 46 points
13) Alex Albon - 27 points
14) Yuki Tsunoda - 13 points
15) Valtteri Bottas - 10 points
16) Nico Hulkenberg - 9 points
17) Daniel Ricciardo - 6 points
18) Zhou Guanyu - 6 points
19) Kevin Magnussen - 3 points
20) Liam Lawson - 2 points
21) Logan Sargeant - 1 point
21) Nyck de Vries - 0 points
Lewis Hamilton makes F1 ‘circus’ plea after backlash from Las Vegas locals
02:14 , Kieran Jackson
Lewis Hamilton insists locals living in Las Vegas “can’t be negatively affected” by Formula 1’s arrival in the city this week – and the sport should not turn into a “circus.”
F1 holds its first grand prix in Vegas for more than 40 years this weekend, with a brand new street circuit which sees cars speed down the world-famous strip at over 200mph.
But there has been a backlash among some locals due to the disruption caused by the construction of the track, including a $500m pit building facility.
Tourists and taxi drivers have voiced their annoyance following traffic delays throughout the city as a result of road closures – and seven-time F1 world champion Hamilton believes the sport must stay “respectful” to locals.
Full piece below:
Lewis Hamilton makes F1 ‘circus’ plea after backlash from Las Vegas locals
What is the race schedule?
02:09 , Kieran Jackson
The next race weekend of the 2023 season, the Las Vegas Grand Prix, takes place from Friday 17 November - Sunday 19 November in the UK as F1 returns to Vegas.
The schedule is as follows: first practice takes place at 4:30am (GMT) on Friday with second practice at 8am.
On Saturday, the third practice session is at 4:30am before qualifying at 8am (GMT) - that’s midnight local time on Friday night.
The race on Sunday morning has a start time of 6am (GMT), which is 10pm on Saturday night in Vegas.
F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix opening ceremony!
02:07 , Kieran Jackson
F1 heads to the US again for the highly-anticipated Las Vegas Grand Prix on the world-famous strip and the penultimate race of the 2023 season.
Max Verstappen won his 17th grand prix of a sensational season last time out in Brazil, with Lando Norris claiming second place once again and Fernando Alonso clinching third spot ahead of Sergio Perez after a tremendous late battle in Interlagos.
Mercedes endured a torrid weekend to forget in Sao Paulo, while Charles Leclerc was forced to retire before the race even began due to a mechanical issue with his Ferrari car.
F1 now returns to Vegas for the first time in 41 years for a 50-lap race around the picturesque 3.8 mile, 17-turn circuit. The race has a 10-year contract and will take place under the lights on Saturday night in Sin City. There will also be a unique opening ceremony tonight.
