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Viva Las Vegas! F1’s New & Returning Tracks
Circuit Pushing the 2023 Schedule to its Limit
This coming 2023 F1 season is a historic one: There will be 23 races (originally 24) that will push the calendar close to its limit. This is highlighted by the debut of the Las Vegas Grand Prix in the penultimate week of the season. Another Grand Prix returns as there will be more races in consecutive weeks. All the F1 betting odds will be available, including the Las Vegas race.
Let’s check the latest Formula 1 news, stats, injury reports, and Las Vegas! F1lines. We’ve got plenty of Formula 1 picks for you to consider.
Las Vegas Makes it Three American Courses
After years of build-up, the Las Vegas Grand Prix is ready to debut in November. Taking place on Nov. 19, it will be the second-to-last race of the calendar. Fans may just see a world champion crowned in this race, which will take place during the night (of course!)
The race will be held in a temporary street circuit that will go through the famous Las Vegas Strip. This will be the first F1 race to be held in the city since the 1982 Caesars Palace Grand Prix, which Alain Prost won. The inclusion of Vegas also gives the United States three F1 races in one calendar year, the most for any country.
At first glance, the Las Vegas Grand Prix appears to be one of the less treacherous courses with plenty of straights. There are 17 turns but at least 1.181 miles of the course’s 3.803 miles is raced on the straightforward strip.
Early impressions of the course have many comparing it to Baku, where there will be plenty of room to hit top speed. Expect plenty of DRS (Drag Reduction System) battles as drivers jostle for position, which makes betting online both exciting and nerve-racking.
Returning to Qatar, Exit From France
Before all eyes turn to Las Vegas, the Qatar Grand Prix returns after a one-year absence. F1 will race at the Losail International Circuit where Lewis Hamilton dominated to close the gap between him and Max Verstappen. It initially took place as the third-to-last race of the calendar but now returns around the middle: the 18th race on Oct. 8.
Qatar will return as the French Grand Prix moves out of the calendar. French Grand Prix chief Jean Alesi blamed his country’s government for the reason behind the snub.
“F1 has probably 32 countries in the world right now asking to host F1 races. The last Grand Prix we had here last year was very, very popular with the people. So it’s a shame to lose it,” Alesi told Motorsport.com.
“Having a French GP looks good on the F1 calendar, but if we don’t have the possibility to do it, then that’s because the country is not interested in motorsport, and that is a big shame. It’s not a problem for F1 to have a Grand Prix in France, the blame is on France.”
Indeed, after four consecutive years of hosting, there will be no F1 racing in Le Castellet in 2023.
Germany, China Remain Out of the Loop
Originally, F1 planned for 24 races to max out its calendar. The Chinese Grand Prix was supposed to return early in the schedule. However, due to ongoing issues with the COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese F1 fans will have to wait yet another year to see the highest class of international racing.
In a similar boat is the German Grand Prix. Hockenheimring hosted some epic races up to 2019, which Verstappen won. Nurburgring is also on the table, though it has not hosted an F1 race since 2013.
“We really hope that Germany can be back around the table,” F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali told reporters in a virtual roundtable ahead of last year’s Belgian Grand Prix. “Hopefully soon, with something that could happen soon, they will have a different situation to discuss with us.”
Still, F1 can only have a maximum of 24 races in one calendar season with the current FIA regulations. There will be plenty to watch and bet on in the sportsbook regardless as F1 continues to gain more popularity.
