F1 Las Vegas

Vegas Lights And F1 Thrills: Catching A Glimpse Of The Action!

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By Melanie VanDerveer on November 23, 2024 at 5:45 PM EST

If you're in Las Vegas during F1 but didn't get a ticket to the race, you can still enjoy the high-energy vibes felt all over Sin City. With fun, interactive activations, food and drink specials, and access to see a little peek of the track while walking down the Strip, there's fun waiting for everyone.

The Blast visited the Las Vegas Grand Prix Fan Experience festival, Wynn and Encore, as well as walked up the Strip to enjoy some of the F1 energy and excitement on Friday night. And little did we realize; we would be able to catch some of Friday night's practice session.

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F1 In Las Vegas Brings High Speed Excitement To Sin City!

Sphere in Las Vegas during F1
Melanie VanDerveer

Locals and visitors alike can feel the shift in energy in the air as F1 raced into the city. For months prior to this week, F1 construction took over a good chunk of the Strip and area around it. Ask locals how they feel about it, and you might get a few different responses, but the majority aren't thrilled about all the complications this brings to their work and school commutes. But while the race is happening, anyone within ear and eye shot of the excitement can't help but enjoy the thrill of the revving cars and watching them speed down the Strip.

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Friday night, I visited Wynn and Encore, as well as the free F1 fan experience festival, before walking down the Strip to meet my son. I didn't get too far before stumbling upon a great spot to check out practice runs on the steps of the Palazzo. I shot some pics and videos along the way to share with our readers.

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F1 Fan Experience

F1 Fan Experience
Melanie VanDerveer

I showed up at the festival at the end of the day, so it wasn't too packed. While it's a free experience, tickets were required to enter and F1 only gave out a specific number of tickets and sold out relatively quickly.

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F1 Fan Experience
Melanie VanDerveer
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F1 Fan Experience
Melanie VanDerveer
F1 Fan Experience
Melanie VanDerveer
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Lewis Hamilton's Non-Alcoholic Spirit Brand, Almave

Almave Bar
Melanie VanDerveer

Almave, "the first distilled non-alcoholic blue agave spirit that takes the craft of tequila beyond proof," had a pop-up activation inside Encore's Eastside Lounge. Almave was also being served in many of the bars and restaurants in the Wynn and Encore throughout F1's visit to Vegas.

I stopped by the Eastside Lounge to get a taste of the non-alcoholic spirit that racecar driver, Lewis Hamilton founded.

Almave Bar
Melanie VanDerveer
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Almave
Melanie VanDerveer

I was treated to one of their non-alcoholic margaritas. Being a margarita girlie for much of my adult life but choosing to not drink more than maybe one drink every few months, this was a super delicious treat. To be able to have a margarita without tons of added sugar or any alcohol is a beautiful thing, in my opinion. I highly recommend this for anyone who wants a high-quality mocktail.

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Almave
Melanie VanDerveer

Race Over To Wynn Las Vegas For F1 Fun

Wynn Las Vegas
Melanie VanDerveer

As I was walking through Wynn Las Vegas and into Encore Las Vegas, the racing vibe stayed strong. There's so much to do and see while just strolling through casinos that the F1 feeling lingers long after any racing.

*Note - It's important to note that pretty much all casinos are doing something special for F1. I just happened to be at Wynn and Encore Friday night. 

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Car at Wynn Las Vegas
Melanie VanDerveer
Wynn Las Vegas
Melanie VanDerveer
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Wynn Las Vegas
Melanie VanDerveer

A Sneak Peek Of Friday Night's Practice

While it's not much, the above TikTok video is a little peek of some F1 action during Friday night practice. I caught this footage while fighting for my life on an escalator and while security was trying to get everyone to keep moving. Everyone around me was also excited to see some cars fly by as they walked from one place to the next on the Strip, which is why there are lots of heads in my camera's view.

For someone who's never attended an F1 race, it was a really cool sight to see. I think whether you're into the sport or not, it's an experience like no other.

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F1 Las Vegas
Melanie VanDerveer

Did you attend F1 in Las Vegas? Have a funny or inspiring story to share? Email me.

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