From stunning overtakes to an off-track spectacle – 10 of the best moments from the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix in 2023

The return of the Las Vegas Grand Prix is getting ever closer, with the race set to kick off a final triple header sequence to close out what has been an action-packed 2024 season.

And if last year’s inaugural event at the Las Vegas Strip Circuit is anything to go by, we’re in for treat. The 2023 weekend was one to remember, as a thrilling race played out on Saturday night to top off a series of memorable moments across the days before it.

READ MORE: Unique things to see and do in Las Vegas, the entertainment capital of the world

From a nail-biting battle for the lead to spectacular scenes off the track, let’s rewind 12 months to relive some of the highlights from the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix…

An opening ceremony unlike any other

Before the cars had even hit the track, Formula 1 arrived into the Entertainment Capital of the World in eye-catching style via a glitzy opening ceremony, featuring performances from the likes of Thirty Seconds to Mars, John Legend and Kylie Minogue as well as appearances by Blue Man Group and Cirque du Soleil before the drivers were introduced to the crowd team by team.

For fans looking to enjoy some music-based entertainment alongside the racing this year, several headline artists have been confirmed to perform across the weekend including Snakehips, Big Boi, OneRepublic and Ludacris.

Leclerc’s stunning pole position

Charles Leclerc has often been praised for his qualifying prowess and the Monegasque again displayed his impressive one-lap pace around the Las Vegas Strip Circuit. After looking consistently strong throughout the session, Leclerc upped the ante during the final runs of Q3 to set a time of 1m 32.726s.

With closest challengers Carlos Sainz and Max Verstappen unable to beat this, Leclerc became the first-ever pole-sitter at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, which also marked the 23rd pole position of the Ferrari man’s career.

READ MORE: Sainz ‘cannot explain’ Sao Paulo crashes as Leclerc admits weekend was 'damage limitation' for Ferrari

Action aplenty at the race start

Leclerc might have taken P1 on the grid but the Scuderia driver did not have things all his own way as the lights went out for the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix on Saturday night. After Verstappen looked to make a challenge into Turn 1, the pair both went into the run-off area before the Dutchman emerged in the lead, a move that he was subsequently handed a five-second penalty for.

Further back there was also plenty of drama unfolding, with Fernando Alonso spinning in the middle of the pack while Sainz tagged Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez made contact with Valtteri Bottas.

READ MORE: Ferrari Challenge confirmed as support series at 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix

A thrilling battle for the lead

After that jam-packed start to the race, an eventful 50-lap encounter followed featuring several battles across the field – and one of these was playing out at the front, with the lead changing hands more than once during the Grand Prix.

While Verstappen initially led the way, the Red Bull driver was later overtaken by Leclerc – before Perez put himself into contention via a well-timed pit stop under the Safety Car, resulting in the Mexican snatching P1. Leclerc again took it back, but soon Verstappen had caught up with the pair and the world champion came out on top in an enthralling fight to take the lead and ultimately win the race.

READ MORE: 4 Winners and 5 Losers from Brazil – Who excelled in the wet around Interlagos?

Leclerc’s last-lap overtake

It might have been Verstappen who sealed victory in Las Vegas but Leclerc remained in fighting mode right until the chequered flag. Having been running in third behind Perez in the latter stages, the Monegasque made a daring move down the inside of the Red Bull on the final lap of the race to steal P2.

So good was this manoeuvre that it not only earned Leclerc November’s Overtake of the Month award, but also resulted in him clinching the Overtake of the Year accolade too.

POWER RANKINGS: Who splashed their way to the top of the charts on a spectacular Sao Paulo weekend?

Epic comebacks for Ocon and Stroll

There was no shortage of storylines playing out behind the race-long scrap for the lead – and this included two particularly impressive comeback drives from Esteban Ocon and Lance Stroll, who had lined up on the grid in 16th and 19th respectively.

Both drivers avoided the Turn 1 melee and gained a significant number of positions early on before continuing to make good progress throughout the race. Ocon took a fine P4 for Alpine, while Aston Martin’s Stroll was less than two seconds down the road as he claimed P5, equalling his best result of the campaign.

READ MORE: 'No one can understand' – Ocon and Gasly reflect on their 'ups and downs' together after sharing Sao Paulo podium

Celebrating in true Vegas style

Verstappen yet again etched his name into the history books by becoming the debut winner of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, a triumph that also saw him add to his staggering tally of victories in the 2023 season as well as marking the 53rd win of his career.

To celebrate the feat, Verstappen took to the radio after crossing the finish line to give his own rendition of Elvis Presley’s Viva Las Vegas.

PALMER: I can’t overstate how difficult Interlagos is to drive in the rain – Verstappen’s epic win was his best wet race yet

Dazzling helmet and livery designs

The teams and drivers definitely embraced the Las Vegas theme in terms of bringing some eye-catching helmets and liveries to the weekend, featuring everything from casino references through to designs reflecting the dazzling lights of the Strip.

We’re already keen to see what the grid have in store for this year…

IN PHOTOS: Check out the eye-catching liveries and special driver helmets at the Las Vegas Grand Prix

Sainz wins the Netflix Cup – and breaks the trophy

He might not have been in the fight for victory in the Grand Prix, but Sainz did at least leave the weekend as a winner after coming out on top in the inaugural Netflix Cup, a golf tournament that saw the stars of sports shows Drive to Survive and Full Swing team up.

Sainz and his partner Justin Thomas proved victorious after facing off against Pierre Gasly and Tony Finau in the final, having earlier beaten Lando Norris and Rickie Fowler, while Gasly’s team had previously won against Alex Albon and Max Homa. But amidst the podium celebrations, Sainz inadvertently broke the winners’ trophy after dropping it on the floor – whoops.

READ MORE: Las Vegas Grand Prix to host free Fan Experience featuring team appearances, live entertainment and more

The Sphere gets in on the action

With the weekend’s events playing out against the glittering Las Vegas skyline, one especially striking sight was that of the Sphere, the largest spherical structure in the world that also acts as an immersive entertainment destination.

The external 580,000-square-foot LED display made for a stunning backdrop to the action on track – with a highlight being the luminous face that seemed to be enjoying the racing antics.

READ MORE: Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority becomes Official Partner of Formula 1

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