’There’s something else about Vegas’ – Hamilton predicts ‘incredible’ Las Vegas race in 2023
Exactly one year from today the cars will take to the track for the first time on the brand new Las Vegas circuit ahead of the first Grand Prix in the city since 1982 – and Lewis Hamilton reckons it’s going to be unmissable.
Hamilton, Mercedes team mate George Russell, Red Bull’s Sergio Perez and Williams driver Alex Albon were all in attendance for the F1 Launch Party in Vegas on the Saturday before the Sao Paulo Grid Prix weekend, as thousands of F1 fans enjoyed live car runs and a host of special activities in the famous Nevada city.
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With a hugely excited crowd roaring Hamilton and his counterparts on, it gave the seven-time world champion a glimpse of what’s to come when the entire F1 paddock descends on the city for the Saturday night race on November 18 next year.
“It feels amazing to be here. I’ve been here a couple of times through my lifetime. It’s crazy to think we have a Grand Prix coming here,” Hamilton told Sky Sports F1.
“I haven’t done a demonstration for a long, long, long time, so to see that there’s an actual buzz around F1, and people will come out here just for this, is a small insight into what we’re going to experience when we come out here in 2023.”
Las Vegas will join the Miami International Autodrome (new for 2022) and Austin’s Circuit of The Americas (which hosted its first race 10 years ago) on the 2023 schedule, and while Hamilton is a fan of F1’s existing US venues, he is also eager to experience a race on the famous Strip.
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“Miami was [held for] the first time this year, which was amazing. Austin has always been a success, and incredible, with the fans there. But I think there’s something else about Vegas,” Hamilton continued.
“I think there’s an unbelievable amount of energy in one little space, so the weekend when we have the race here… I don’t even know how we’re going to be moving! It will be the busiest time, I would imagine, in Vegas – the race will be incredible.”