The United States of America has caught a severe case of Formula 1 fever. Excitement about the sport has spread right across the country, with Netflix and social media both credited with being catalysts for F1’s ability to entice so many new fans.
According to figures published by The Athletic, over a period of just three years, the sport acquired over four million new fans just in the USA. American television viewing figures have also skyrocketed as the sport saw its average viewers rise by 28% in 2022 alone.
That’s also helped to spark a boom in the Formula 1 sports betting markets, with many of these new fans looking to also make predictions on individual Grands Prix and the outcome of the season as a whole. Sportsbook comparison sites like OddsChecker have also played a major role in this by allowing sports fans to find the biggest and most attractive free bet offers from major bookies like BetMGM.
The worlds of sports betting and Formula 1 will come even closer together this year when Las Vegas hosts the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Technically, it won’t be the first F1 race to take place in the city, but the previous events were run under the name ‘Caesars Palace Grand Prix’ and were held in the parking lot of the casino. In 2023, the Las Vegas Grand Prix will be a far cry from that glorified car park car meet and will, instead, be a specially-designed street track held under the neon lights of the Vegas casinos and run along the city’s famous strip.
Traditionally, Formula 1 has been a sport that has been very RV friendly. Even outside of the US, where the concept of tailgating and camping at sporting events is nowhere near as established, F1 fans have long piled into parking lots and fields to sleep under the stars.
Sadly, this wasn’t the case at the new Miami Grand Prix, but the Circuit of the Americas has huge RV facilities for when it hosts the United States Grand Prix. So what will the situation be like for Las Vegas?
Hotels
The nature of the Las Vegas Grand Prix’s location means that there is a major emphasis on hotel accommodation. In fact, many of the hotels that the track will pass are involved in the planning and hosting of the event.
Through the race’s official website, there is a listing for rooms from many of these hotels, with the cheapest starting at $417 per night, though most costing closer to $1,000 per night. There will, of course, be rooms at other properties away from the track that will be cheaper, but they’ll still be inflated.
RVs
If you want somewhere to park your RV so you can attend the Las Vegas Grand Prix with the traditional camping experience, you can still find places to go, but they will be further away from the track than you might get at COTA or many European circuits.
Oasis Las Vegas RV Resort will be a popular option for fans as it combines fantastic amenities with a convenient location. Situated between Interstate 15 and the Las Vegas Strip, it’s just a short drive from the F1 circuit. It also offers everything you’ll need while away from the circuit, including electric hookup, dump stations, gym, theater, pool, spa, mini-golf, and showers.
Another option is Thousand Trails Las Vegas RV Park, a campsite with more than 200 spots, each with electric hookup and WiFi. Being six miles from the Strip, you’re just a few minutes’ drive from the action but far enough away to be able to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Guests can also use the on-site swimming pool and hot tub, and can even bring their pets.
Both these and many other RV parks around Las Vegas cost less than $60 per night, though they may be a little more pricy during the weekend of the Grand Prix. And while you won’t quite get the full ambience of being surrounded in a field of petrolheads, you’ll still get to combine the fastest sport of earth with the more sedate life of camping.