Vegas Gets Its Speed Fix Back
The checkered flag is out and Grand Prix Plaza has roared back to life in Las Vegas. After closing for the season following last year's inaugural Formula 1 race, this 100,000-square-foot racing playground reopened with some serious upgrades that‘ll get your heart racing faster than a DRS zone overtake.
Benjamin Larvie, General Manager of Grand Prix Plaza, captured the excitement perfectly: “For year two, we’ve taken Grand Prix Plaza to new heights, offering returning guests new ways to engage in the sport, while giving first-time visitors an action-packed introduction to the world of racing.” That‘s the kind of confidence you want to hear when you’re about to strap into a go-kart hitting 30 mph on actual F1 track surface.
The Main Event: F1 DRIVE Delivers Real Track Action
Here's where things get absolutely wild – F1 DRIVE is the first and only karting experience in North America that runs on an actual Formula 1 circuit. We're talking 1,470 feet of the Las Vegas Strip Circuit with 22 turns that these F1 superstars navigate at 200+ mph. Your kart might only hit 30, but when you're pulling Gs through the same corners as Max Verstappen, every mph feels amplified.
The Grand Prix package at $99 gives you the full race weekend experience – practice, qualifying, and a 12-minute feature race. For families wanting to get younger drivers involved, the Family Sprint drops the speed but keeps all the competitive fire. The official Grand Prix Plaza website has all the package details, and trust me, locals get solid discounts across the board.
Beyond the Track: F1 X and the Ultimate Fan Experience
The completely reimagined F1 X attraction is where racing dreams come alive in 20,000 square feet of pure Formula 1 immersion. Design your own car livery, work as an elite pit crew member, and experience the Vegas circuit from a driver's perspective in their new 4D theater. At $59 for adults, it's like having VIP paddock access without the seven-figure price tag.
The F1 HUB serves as mission control for your racing adventure, featuring the largest Formula 1 retail store in the US and a new hat customization station. The F1 HUB Lounge keeps the energy flowing with elevated comfort food – because nothing pairs better with racing adrenaline than a perfectly crafted burger and cold beverage.
The Championship Schedule
Grand Prix Plaza runs Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., extending to midnight on weekends when the Vegas energy peaks. They'll close again this fall to prep for the main event – the Las Vegas Grand Prix – making this limited-time racing fix even more precious.
The facility also houses massive event spaces including a 71,000-square-foot rooftop with Strip views that can handle 3,000 guests. When you‘re not setting lap records, you might catch a corporate event or celebration that brings F1 glamour to Vegas business culture. This isn’t just an attraction – it‘s become part of Vegas’s sporting DNA, and that rooftop space proves this city knows how to blend high-octane entertainment with world-class hospitality.
