I’ve always been a fan of motorsport—obviously. But despite all my automotive exploits, I’d never been to an F1 race. That changed this year when I was invited by Haas to attend the 2024 F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix with my business partner Drew. For those who don’t know, Drew and I run MDI-Co, a CNC machine shop so we were happy to go on this “work trip”. This was a bucket-list experience—and what better introduction to Formula 1 than under the neon glow of the Las Vegas Strip?
The Las Vegas GP is unlike anything else in motorsport. The circuit winds through some of the most iconic streets in the world, with a portion of the track right on the Strip. With the Bellagio fountains drained to make way for grandstands and temporary VIP areas built exclusively for this event, the backdrop was nothing short of spectacular.
Thursday: Practice and First Impressions
Practice kicked off at 7:00 PM. By day, the circuit was already impressive, but under the Vegas lights, it was pure magic. I’ve been to many races, but the sheer scale of this operation blew me away. Everything—the grandstands, viewing areas, even the VIP spaces—was temporary, built for this race alone. It’s hard to imagine that in a week, you’d never know it was here.
The atmosphere was electric. The FanZone was packed with activities, from SIM racing simulators to live DJs. Even the food was next-level, far beyond the usual track-day fare. And the best part? Food, soft drinks, and water were free. A classy touch for an event of this magnitude.
Our seats were near the start/finish line, directly across from the paddock and garages, which gave us a perfect view of the pit lane action. The only downside? It was a bit chilly, hovering in the upper 40s, but the energy of the event more than made up for it.
Friday: Meet-and-Greet and Qualifying Thrills
Friday was a day of highlights. We started with a meet-and-greet with the Haas team. I got a hat signed by their drivers and even had the chance to chat with the team owner, Gene Haas. It’s always inspiring to meet people at the top of their game in motorsport.
Later that evening, the Ferrari Challenge race amped up the excitement between F1 practice and qualifying. For a first-time F1 attendee, it was a thrill to see such high-level racing across different formats. Before qualifying, Big Boi from Outkast delivered a killer performance that set the tone for the night.
Then came the main event: F1 qualifying. The last five minutes were edge-of-your-seat thrilling as the times kept dropping. George Russell of Mercedes clinched pole with a stunning lap time of 1:32.312, setting the stage for an epic race.
Saturday: Race Day!
Race day. The big event. The race didn’t start until 10:00 PM, but we arrived early by VIP Shuttle with paddock passes that promised an unforgettable VIP experience. The temperature was much warmer—around 60 degrees—which made the night even more enjoyable.
The Haas VIP hospitality area became our base of operations. This wasn’t just a viewing area; it was where the drivers, engineers, team principal, and even team owner Gene Haas himself spent the evening. We were treated to dinner alongside the team and even got a tour of the garage. Seeing extra chassis, engines, and bodywork up close (no cameras allowed!) gave me a whole new appreciation for the level of detail and preparation that goes into F1.
Before the race, we watched pit stop practice right on pit road. I’ve always admired the precision of any pit crew, but seeing it in person was something else entirely.
When the race finally started, it was nothing short of spectacular. Watching the cars fly down the Strip at 200+ mph is an experience I’ll never forget. We watched the start and the first half of the race from our great seats in the grandstands near the start/finish line. Halfway through the race we decided to explore the paddock and see how close we could get to some of the corners. We were not disappointed! After that we made our way back to the Haas VIP Suite and HQ where we watched the finish of the race with Team Owner Gene Haas himself!
George Russell, who had already impressed in qualifying, took the win for Mercedes-Benz, piloting his #63 car to victory.
The Celebration
After the race, we were lucky enough to join the post-race celebrations on the track. The energy was surreal. Standing so close to the podium, I even got sprayed with champagne—a sticky but worthy souvenir.
Final Thoughts
The Las Vegas Grand Prix exceeded every expectation. From the incredible hospitality of the Haas team to the sheer spectacle of racing on the Strip, this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. For someone who’s never been to an F1 race, I can confidently say: I’m hooked.
Vegas knows how to do everything big—and this race was no exception. If this is the future of F1, sign me up.
