This was the spectacular opening ceremony of the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix: a Super Bowl-style festival

It is unclear how the experiment will turn out. F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix This weekend, that is. F1 The urban track, which is open to traffic during the day, has little grip and can become a real skating rink for drivers due to the expected cold temperatures at night in the middle of the Nevada desert. Yes, no one had thought of this. Mid-November. In fact, the main purpose of the race was to have a ‘show’ which was more than sufficient. It’s not just because of everything “Sin City” offers to his GP participants, all of whom are paying a lot of money to participate. But it’s also because of the incredible spectacle produced by F1, which arrived in Las Vegas in purest Super Bowl halftime show style, with a welcome ceremony befitting one of the biggest events in world sport.

At this Thursday’s ceremony (Wednesday night in Las Vegas), the small straight where the pits and two large stands are located has already become a permanent facility for the event, which has now signed a deal with F1 for the next 10 years. . It’s the closest thing to a music festival you can pay an expensive ticket to attend.

There are several large blocks with screens and lights from which all kinds of music stars emerge in elevators, and the show begins with a performance by 30 Seconds to Mars, followed by Keith Urban, Andra Day, and Kylie Minogue. , followed by blue. A seven-block light festival on the track was in full swing before the arrival of Mann, Bishop Briggs, Journey, and their vocalists Arnel Pineda and Steve Aoki. Balvin and Tiesto then arrived and laid the foundation for John Legend’s “All of Me” on the mixing board, ending the performance. And behind them, will.i.am sang Let’s Go in front of dozens of dancers on the asphalt, raising the checkered flag to mark the start of the Grand Prix and the subsequent departure of the drivers on stage.

The pilot event was a group bath. They were introduced one by one in teams as if they were boxers seeking a heavyweight belt in a Las Vegas ring.

The festival was fitting for an event in which F1 has invested over $500 million. In recent weeks, there has been talk of falling hotel prices and lower-than-expected ticket resales. But for now, the grandstands of this opening ceremony vibrate with a “show” that no one can remain indifferent, the drone also depicts the typical Las Vegas welcome logo, the finishing touch is a fireworks display, and the already glamorous hotel The hotel was further illuminated. A casino that reigns on the famous Strip.

After that, the focus must shift to the car. There, the questions become even bigger.