One of the most-anticipated races on the 2023 F1 calendar is here and OP is off to none other than Vegas! Here’s the lowdown ahead of Saturday’s (yes, that’s right) race.

• At 6.201km, a lap of the Las Vegas Strip Circuit is one of the longest on the calendar alongside Spa and Jeddah
• Las Vegas has previously staged two F1 races in 1981 and 1982, acting as season finale on both occasions
• The anticlockwise track features 17 turns (11 left-handers, six right-handers) and winds past iconic locations such as the Venetian and Caesars Palace
• The 1.9km back straight along the Las Vegas Strip is expected to witness top speeds of over 210mph
• The new Las Vegas circuit becomes the twelfth track used by Formula 1 in the United States
• The 2023 Las Vegas GP will take place on a Saturday: the first to do so since the 1985 South African GP

On racing in Las Vegas…

“Las Vegas is famous around the world for entertainment and the buzz around the city and I’m sure when F1 arrives, that buzz is going to go up another notch.

It is going to be some sight to see the cars winding their way past iconic locations seen in films and of course, heading down the famous Strip.

This is a race that a lot of the drivers have been looking forward to for a long time and I’m sure it is going to be one to remember.”

On a special helmet…

“I’ve really enjoyed crafting a special helmet for this weekend. It has been designed to stand out in the City of Lights and I’m so happy with how it has come together.

I’m excited to reveal it on social media in the coming days and see how it goes down.”

On the third American race of the season…

“Before this season, I’d never raced in the US and am looking forward to going back there after visiting Miami and Austin.

The American fans have been awesome with me and I’ve had a lot of support from them on the ground and online which I’m really grateful for. I hope to see plenty of them in person in Nevada.”