F1 reveals more about the Super Bowl-worthy opening ceremony for the Las Vegas Grand Prix
The opening ceremony of the Las Vegas Grand Prix will take place on November 15. One thing is for sure, the organisers in charge of its preparation have not forgotten the city's reputation, and fully intend to uphold it. A giant concert with international artists, fireworks, light show, and the introduction of the drivers on the track, the Las Vegas Grand Prix is set to be the event of the year in Formula 1.
The world capital of entertainment will host from November 16 to 18 next, the F1 paddock, usually called the circus but this will not be the only one. And to celebrate the opening of this new track, the organizers have planned to do things big, in the American way. Liberty Media, who are none other than the holders of the commercial rights of F1, will go all out to make the Las Vegas Grand Prix a must in the F1 calendar. And it starts with this huge opening ceremony on Wednesday, November 15.
The Cirque du Soleil and international artists
First on the program, a large show gathering « nine legendary music artists ». Big names in the industry including notably J Balvin, Will.i.am, Andra Gray, Keith Urban, Bishop Briggs, Journey, Steve Aoki or even Thirty Seconds To Mars. In addition to this, the Blue Man Group and Cirque du Soleil will present a spectacle. Everything will take place at 7:30 pm local time (4:30 am in France), in front of over 30,000 fans in the stands, as well as a global broadcast on the F1 Youtube channel. Competing with the Super bowl half-time show therefore clearly seems to be the goal.
Light show and fireworks
A ceremony that does not stop there, since afterwards, we will find, directly on the starting line, a grand light show with more than a thousand light spots and a hundred lasers. Not to mention the two fireworks and a drone choreography, organized by T-Mobile. Finally, it is planned that, on this same starting line, the presentation of the drivers and stables will take place.
The CEO of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Renee Wilm, explains how they tried to assemble the city of Las Vegas, with the « international brand » that is Formula 1.
« So, when we decided to organize our race here, it was because it was the perfect marriage between glamour and speed. […] When you think about it, no other place in the world can offer this level of entertainment and hospitality. We wanted to highlight everything that this city has to offer », shared Renee Wilm, to the microphone of KTNV media.
An opening ceremony in Miami that was far from enchanting the pilots
At the Miami Grand Prix this year, the drivers had been called onto the track one by one and did not like it at all. The feedback was rather negative from their side and they do not seem to be at the end of their surprises for the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
« We do a lot of things. It’s probably the only sport where we’re so close to the fans, where we do so much promotion. As drivers, we all want to sit down and focus on what we need to do and not do too much TV and everything else. It’s a business in the end, so that’s what we have to do. Adding more and more things like that, no driver likes it. » Norris had explained after the Grand Prix.
