Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc navigates turns near the Sphere during the Formula One opening practice session of the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Nov. 21, 2024, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

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The 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix (LVGP) is one of three final races in a 24-race season that will determine the Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship (WDC) between McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri and the Red Bull Racing phenom Max Verstappen. It’s the closest title fight we’ve had since 2021, and this year it’s being contested by three drivers who are separated by only 49 points after the Sao Paulo Grand Prix in Brazil.

The inaugural LVGP in 2023 proved to be the best single race in what was a boring season of Red Bull and Verstappen dominance. The Dutchman won, as he did for most others that season, but there were some 99 overtakes and a thrilling finish between Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez for P2. The 2024 running of the LVGP was exciting because, although Verstappen locked up his fourth straight WDC in Vegas, it was anyone’s race to win. Mercedes’ George Russell won from pole with a charging Lewis Hamilton finishing P2 in his final season with the team.

As we look ahead to the 2025 race, held November 20-22, the majority of F1’s pundits are rooting for a historic and record-breaking comeback from the flying Dutchman. Given that one of my pre-season predictions was that Verstappen would win his fifth WDC, you can count me among that group. The Vegas track is fast with long straights, much like Baku and Monza, which should suit Red Bull. I’ll go out on a limb an predict a grand slam weekend for Verstappen with Russel P2 and Piastri P3.

But the racing is just part of a LVGP weekend. For many, it’s a small part. Because the energy, entertainment and parties for F1 weekend are—bar none—the absolute best of the year, regardless of whether you know what a red flag is or what a purple sector means.

How To See The Race

David “Papi” Einhorn stands for a portrait inside his “Papi Steak Garage” in the paddock ahead of the first practice for the Las Vegas Formula 1 Grand Prix on November 21, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)

AFP via Getty Images

This is one of the biggest questions, and there are actually so many good answers. The dirty secret about attending F1 races is that you still have to watch the majority of the race on a TV screen. Otherwise, you simply have no idea what is happening. Suites in the Paddock Club, which take many forms, provide the most exclusive and plush experience with amazing food and views directly down to the pit lane and pit boxes. The drawback is that the race view of the start/finish straight is rather uneventful. After seeing cars go by a few times, you’ll find yourself back in the suite for most of the race to watch on the massive TV screens. However, there is an option that elevates the Paddock Club experience to something quite exceptional and unforgettable: The Papi Steak Package from Fontainebleau Las Vegas.

The famed steakhouse from David Grutman’s Groot Hospitality and David “Papi” Einhorn will take over an F1 garage—as in next to the teams along the pit lane. Along with trackside dining, the package includes an F1 Paddock Pass, Paddock Club rooftop access, pit lane walks, track tours and access to The Poodle Room, Fontainebleau Las Vegas’ ultra-exclusive members-only club on the resort’s top floor.

Another unique viewing option with a big party atmosphere is the Mercedes Las Vegas Club, which is hosted by the Mercedes F1 team. Tickets for Friday and Saturday are sold out. However, their more affordable counterparts are still available for Thursday’s practice sessions and well into the evening after that. The three-story club is located at Turn 4, so you get great views of that sweeping right-hander. The club itself is a proper nightclub activation with premium food and beverage offerings plus a range of different entertainment features beyond the on-track action. It truly encompasses what an LVGP experience ought to look and feel like.

If you truly want to see on-track race action, the grandstands around the Sphere (turns five to nine) can offer some of the best wheel-to-wheel racing. Especially as the LVGP traditionally features lot of overtaking.

That said, a big part of being at any F1 race—in particular the LVGP—is the energy of the crowd and just having proximity to the track. In other words, you don’t actually need tickets to the LVGP to have an incredible F1 Vegas experience. Watch parties can be more fun if you’re looking to party with fellow F1 fanatics during the race. These are a few of the biggest.

Tao Skydeck at Bellagio Fountain Club

Tao Group

Tao Group Hospitality Skydeck at Bellagio Fountain Club: This is a premier location on the strip next to the famed fountains. It’s a vibe to say the least and includes premium food and beverage offerings. Chris Lake and Alesso DJ’d the club last year, and this year will feature sounds from super-model-turned-DJ Naomi Campbell. Other celebrities are certain to be in attendance. This is happening on both Friday and Saturday nights.

Race Watch Party at OMNIA Nightclub at Caesars Palace: The Omnia outdoor patio on the roof of the famed nightclub offers distant views of the Strip and cars going by. So you certainly get a sense for being at the race. But the real fun is in reserving a table with VIP bottle service for all of your friends and just partying while watching the race on the big screens. It also includes a buffet-style culinary experience.

The Terrace at Caramella at Planet Hollywood: Blending ‘70s Italian Riviera glam with modern race weekend luxury, this viewing party takes place on the open-air terrace overlooking the main straight and is also inclusive of food and beverages.

The Las Vegas Grand Prix EDM Music Festival

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 11: Fisher performs at Marquee Las Vegas grand reveal weekend at Marquee Nightclub at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on October 11, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Tao Group Hospitality)

Getty Images for Tao Group Hospitality

Many of the best DJs and producers in the world will be headlining throughout the race weekend at Las Vegas’ many iconic nightclubs. It’s a major draw to this particular Grand Prix weekend compared to the other US races in that the talent roster is so deep and the timing of the race schedule means that you can flow directly from the sessions and the race itself directly to the clubs.

Dom Dolla will kick off the Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend with a show at LIV Nightclub

Sean Jorgensen

Thursday: The big one is Dom Dolla at LIV Nightclub, located at Fontainebleau Las Vegas. The Aussie producer played this same slot last year, along with playing at the Paddock Club on race night. The tech house phenom is an ideal way to kick off race weekend with a good buffer from dinner after FP2. The Canadian duo Loud Luxury will also be playing at Hakkassan.

Friday: Following qualifying, which should wrap up about at about 9:00pm, Tiesto will headline LIV Nightclub.

There is also an invite-only Friday afterparty being held from 10:00pm to 4:00am in the members-only Poodle Club on the top floor of Fontainebleau Las Vegas. VROOM ROOM will feature an intimate DJ set from Disclosure, who stole the show at Rise Fest in October, with support from DJ Vice and Ramsey Austin. To inquire about guest list and VIP tables, send an email to access@corsomg.com.

Saturday: The lights will go out at 8:00pm for the race on Saturday night and wrap up around 10:00pm after the podium ceremony. By that time, the opening DJ at Omnia will be warming up the crowd for none other than Fisher.

Martin Garrix played the post-race Omnia show at the first LVGP and will be playing at Palm Tree Beach Club on Saturday for a daytime show; Tiesto played last year and will be a LIV this year for Friday night. But there’s nothing quite like the energy and passion of The Fish, who is the only artist to have his own Las Vegas holiday: The Day of the Fish. Plus, if you’re attending the Omnia watch party (see above), then this show is just a short stroll downstairs to the main room.

Given that it’s race night, though, there are at least two other shows worth considering, and for any EDM fan these are tough decisions. Melodic techno phenomenon Anyma will headline the newly remodeled Marquee at The Cosmopolitan, which, crucially for his show, now features upgraded visuals. And if you’re more of a big-room house fan, then the legend David Guetta will headline at LIV Nightclub after the race.

Delilah Las Vegas hosts an invite-only race afterparty on Saturday night starting at 11:00pm that features many of the celebrities attending the race weekend

Delilah Las Vegas

The premier race afterparty has been held at Delilah Las Vegas, located at The Wynn, since the inception of the LVGP in 2023. It has featured everyone from performers Mark Ronson, Ceelo Green and Questlove; and A-List guests including Justin Bieber, Leonardo DiCaprio, Nina Dobrev, Brooklyn Beckham, Tobey Maguire, Sofia Vergara and Diplo—making it the place to be once the checkered flag has been waved. It’s a private event, so you’ll have to know someone or pull some strings to secure an invitation.

Sunday: Although the racing action will wrap up Saturday night, the music will continue through to Monday. LIV Nightclub resident John Summit will headline on Sunday night to wrap up the weekend, making it a bookend with his frequent B2B partner Dom Dolla.