What new venue and track will be in F1 2023?
Formula 1 is heading to ‘Sin City’ in 2023 and by all accounts the track is set to be everything we hoped for: A speed infused route through the city’s best spots.
There is nothing quite like the high-octane action of Formula 1 and as the sport continues to grow, so too do the number of circuits that drivers get to test themselves on during the yearly calendar of events. Join us for a look at the newest addition to the Formula 1 calendar
Formula 1 to make changes following turbulent 2022
2023 will see Formula 1 holding its biggest ever calendar, with 24 races scheduled for the upcoming season. This of course is an increase from the 22 races held in 2022 – which was initially set to be 23 races before the Russian GP was cancelled. Unfortunately, the Chinese GP in Shanghai will once again be cancelled with Formula 1 citing “ongoing difficulties” due to the country’s covid-19 restrictions, however, Qatar’s Grand Prix will return after making way - understandably for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Yet, truly the big news is F1′s newly unveiled Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Las Vegas has of course seen Formula one action before, with Caesars Palace anointed as the place to be for America’s race fans during the 1981-82 season, but that experience won’t be able to compare with a new purpose-built Las Vegas complex, that will see drivers navigating some of the most iconic landmarks in the ‘City of Second Chances.’
What do we know about F1′s Las Vegas Grand Prix
According to the official website, what awaits drivers in 2023 is a 6.12km/3.8 miles, 17-turn street circuit that is set in the heart of downtown Las Vegas. With three straights and two DRS zones, the circuit is expected to offer a unique challenge to drivers, winds and bends its way past some of the city’s most famous locations such as Caesars Palace, the Bellagio and of course the Venetian.
Where speeds are concerned, the track is expected to go neck and neck with Formula 1′s original ‘Temple of Speed - Italy’s Autodromo Nazionale Monza, with an estimated top speed of 212mph/342kmh. As you can imagine, this will force drivers to take a strategic approach. Expect to see teams opting for a low-downforce set-up in Las Vegas in an effort to ensure that they can maximize their cars’ performance, while attempting to open up on the city’s world-famous Strip. The Las Vegas Grand Prix will be staged between November 16th - 18th.
Other notable recent changes to F1′s calendar
In case you missed them, there have been a few other alterations to the 2023 Formula schedule such as the Azerbaijan GP, which will return to a spring slot as opposed to its previous positioning in June. There’s also the Belgium GP, which has been moved to August, so as to avoid a triple-header after summer ends with the Dutch and Italian events. Also worth noting, is the fact that there will be six sprint races in 2023 which is an increase from the three that were staged in the last two seasons. Lastly, we’ve got to mention that both Melbourne and Singapore made a return to the fold after they too struggled with covid-19 related issues. This is all to say, the 2023 F1 season is packed and we love it!