The countdown to Las Vegas GP concludes with lavish opening ceremony

Justin Walker
·3 min read
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LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — As Las Vegas hurtles toward the end of its countdown to the Grand Prix, a massive celebration of everything Formula 1 took over the pit building near the Las Vegas Strip Wednesday evening.

The 30-minute show featured performances from will.i.am, Thirty Seconds To Mars, Keith Urban, Andra Day, Kylie Minogue, Blue Man Group, Bishop Briggs, Journey, Steve Aoki, and J Balvin among other performers.

The event also provided an introduction to the teams and racers involved in the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Not every Las Vegas GP participant loved the pomp and circumstance, however. A Thursday report indicated that world champion Max Verstappen disliked the ceremony saying that the event made him “look like a clown.”

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 15: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing and Sergio Perez of Mexico and Oracle Red Bull Racing are introduced at the Opening Ceremony during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas at Las Vegas Strip Circuit on November 15, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Mindy Small – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)

The event included fireworks being launched from resorts around the Las Vegas Strip.

  • LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 15: A general view of fireworks at the Opening Ceremony during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas at Las Vegas Strip Circuit on November 15, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
    LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 15: A general view of fireworks at the Opening Ceremony during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas at Las Vegas Strip Circuit on November 15, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
  • LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 15: A general view of fireworks at the Opening Ceremony during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas at Las Vegas Strip Circuit on November 15, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Clive Mason – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
    LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 15: A general view of fireworks at the Opening Ceremony during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas at Las Vegas Strip Circuit on November 15, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Clive Mason – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
  • LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 15: A general view of fireworks at the Opening Ceremony during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas at Las Vegas Strip Circuit on November 15, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Clive Mason – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
    LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 15: A general view of fireworks at the Opening Ceremony during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas at Las Vegas Strip Circuit on November 15, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Clive Mason – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
  • LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 15: A general view as F1 Drivers are introduced during the Opening Ceremony during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas at Las Vegas Strip Circuit on November 15, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
    LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 15: A general view as F1 Drivers are introduced during the Opening Ceremony during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas at Las Vegas Strip Circuit on November 15, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
  • LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 15: A general view as Andra Day performs during the Opening Ceremony during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas at Las Vegas Strip Circuit on November 15, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
    LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 15: A general view as Andra Day performs during the Opening Ceremony during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas at Las Vegas Strip Circuit on November 15, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
  • LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 15: A general view during the Opening Ceremony during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas at Las Vegas Strip Circuit on November 15, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
    LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 15: A general view during the Opening Ceremony during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas at Las Vegas Strip Circuit on November 15, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
  • LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 15: J Balvin performs at the Opening Ceremony during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas at Las Vegas Strip Circuit on November 15, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
    LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 15: J Balvin performs at the Opening Ceremony during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas at Las Vegas Strip Circuit on November 15, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
  • LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 15: A general view of the Sphere during the Opening Ceremony during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas at Las Vegas Strip Circuit on November 15, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
    LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 15: A general view of the Sphere during the Opening Ceremony during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas at Las Vegas Strip Circuit on November 15, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

The race is scheduled for Saturday night, with qualifying races set to kick off beforehand.

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