Was Las Vegas Best Race of the Year?

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🌎 Around Formula 1

🤩 Las Vegas GP's $500M Impact - Generated over $1.2 billion in economic benefits for Las Vegas, with tax revenues exceeding $100 million. The event attracted 105,000 daily attendees, with ticket prices ranging from $500 to $5,000. It also drew 1.3 million U.S. TV viewers, making it the third most-watched F1 race of the year. Unique offerings included a $135 shoey cocktail. Read more

🌧️ Rain Light Test in Abu Dhabi - F1's gearing up for a tech tweak in Abu Dhabi, testing automatic rain lights for 2024. The FIA's new software will kick in the red rear lights when the track's slippery, ditching the old manual switch. It's all about upping safety and visibility, especially with those spray-heavy ground effect cars. They've tried wheel arches before, but this could be the smarter move. If the test runs smooth, we might see this tech hit the tracks next year. Read more

🤑 F1's Expansion Debate - Contemplating Andrett’s entry as the 11th team, amidst current teams' concerns over prize money dilution. The existing Concorde Agreement mandates a $200 million "dilution fee" for new entrants, some teams are suggesting to triple it to $600 million. Teams like Ferrari and Mercedes prioritize financial stability, skeptical of sharing the $1.157 billion prize pool with another team. GM’s interest in joining with Andretti adds complexity, balancing the sport’s growth against economic interests. Read more

🛞 Drivers

🙅‍♂️ Hamilton Denies Red Bull Rumors - Shrugged off claims by Red Bull's Horner that he was eyeing a move to their team. Horner hinted at some chats and a recent inquiry, but Hamilton was quick to set the record straight – no such talks happened. However, there was a Tweet saying it was actually Lewis’s dad who was the one to reach out… Read more

🚘 Mick Schumacher’s Career Change - Will join the World Endurance Championship with Alpine while continuing as Mercedes' F1 reserve driver. He aims to refine his skills in endurance racing, starting from March in Qatar to November in Bahrain. Read more

💪 Max’s Historic 2023 Season - Reflects on a "crazy, crazy year" with Red Bull, poised to surpass Sebastian Vettel's 53 Grand Prix wins at Abu Dhabi. His 18 wins this season mark an unprecedented success rate (85.71%) in F1 history. Read more

🏎 Teams

🐂 AlphaTauri's 2024 Rebrand - Rumored to undergo a major rebranding for the 2024 Formula 1 season, potentially renaming itself "Racing Bulls." This shift signifies a move away from title sponsor-based naming, aligning closer with its sister team, Red Bull, and a return to a more traditional identity. Read more

🔄 Haas Reverses Sale Decision - Gene Haas has decided against selling the team. Despite recent struggles, including finishing last or near-last in three of the past five years, changes in F1's financial structure have encouraged Haas to continue. The introduction of a budget cap and more equitable prize fund distribution, alongside a new sponsorship deal with MoneyGram, have improved the team's financial stability and competitive prospects. Read more

🤬 Team Bosses Get Warning - Toto Wolff and Fred Vasseur received formal warnings for swearing during the Las Vegas GP press conference. The FIA stewards acknowledged Wolff's outburst as provoked and atypical, while Vasseur's frustration was considered in light of Carlos Sainz's recent incident. Both team principals were granted leniency due to the circumstances. Read more

🇦🇪 Abu Dhabi GP Preview

Top 5 Storylines

🥉 Verstappen's Record Chase: Max Verstappen aims for a seventh consecutive win to surpass Sebastian Vettel and secure third place on the all-time winners' list.

🤺 Mercedes vs Ferrari: The intense battle for second in the constructors’ championship continues, with Ferrari closing in on Mercedes, trailing by just four points.

👊 McLaren vs Aston Martin: The fight for fourth place heats up, with only 11 points separating McLaren and a resurgent Aston Martin.

😁 Fresh Faces in FP1: Rookie drivers will replace regulars in FP1, featuring Jake Dennis and Isack Hadjar at Red Bull, among others.

💺 The Final Seat Confirmation: Williams' decision on Logan Sargeant's future remains the last unconfirmed seat for the 2024 season, following his impressive performances. Read more

📊 Standings After Las Vegas GP

Las Vegas GP Success with Room for Improvement

The 2023 Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix surpassed expectations, winning over skeptics and drawing large crowds. However, local residents highlighted the need for better communication from F1 organizers. Despite initial frustrations with construction and road closures, the event's success changed many locals' perspectives. They suggested improvements like earlier race start times and better traffic management. For continued success, F1 must engage more with the community, addressing their concerns and ensuring the event's benefits reach local businesses. Read more