The 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix roared to life not with a roar of engines, but with the quiet certainty of a champion. Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing took the checkered flag on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at 04:00 GMT, securing his third consecutive win on the Las Vegas Strip Circuit—a 6.201-kilometer street track winding past the Bellagio fountains, Caesars Palace, and the Venetian’s gondolas. The victory wasn’t just about speed; it was about control. With a race time of 1:21:08.429, Verstappen held off a charging Mercedes duo: George Russell finished second, +23.546 seconds behind, and rookie Kimi Antonelli, in only his 12th F1 start, claimed third. The real surprise? Lando Norris of McLaren stole pole position with a blistering 1:47.934 in qualifying, a performance that had fans buzzing—but couldn’t hold off Verstappen’s race-day dominance.
The Track, The Timing, The Atmosphere
The 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix unfolded over four electrifying days, from Thursday, November 20, to Sunday, November 23. Friday’s Free Practice sessions set the tone, with teams testing tire wear under the desert night’s artificial glow. Saturday’s qualifying session at 04:00 GMT—yes, 4 a.m. in Las Vegas—was a masterclass in precision. Drivers navigated 17 turns on a circuit that blends high-speed straights with tight hairpins, mimicking Monza’s speed but with the unpredictability of city streets. The race itself covered 50 laps, totaling 309.958 kilometers, with average speeds hitting 205 km/h—right in the zone of legendary circuits.What made it unforgettable wasn’t just the racing. It was the spectacle. The Las Vegas Strip Circuit doesn’t just host a race—it throws a party. Over 250,000 fans flooded the area, many dressed in neon, waving glow sticks, sipping cocktails at rooftop VIP zones. The Grand Prix Plaza, which closed after 2024, was already a memory—its demolition a sign of things to come. The venue’s organizers confirmed it’ll reopen January 30, 2026, with a new F1 X 4D theater and an expanded karting track. This isn’t just a race weekend. It’s a cultural reset for motorsport.
Who’s Watching, Who’s Missing
In the U.S., the broadcast rights remain with ESPN, which carried every lap of the 2023 and 2024 events. But for 2025, no official channel lineup has been confirmed. Fans are left to speculate: Will ABC air the race? Will F1 TV Pro be the only streaming option? The uncertainty is frustrating, especially for those who missed the 2023 debut due to scheduling confusion. For now, the most reliable live feed comes from RacingNews365’s live blog—a fan-favorite for real-time commentary and data.For those who wanted to be there in person, tickets were a different story. F1 Experiences’ official packages—once priced at $2,250 and including a Pit Lane Walk with Mickey Mouse and friends, early access to the F1 HUB at the Venetian, and a limited-edition Mickey x F1 hat—sold out within hours. The fact that Disney was involved wasn’t just marketing. It was a statement: Las Vegas isn’t just for racing fans. It’s for families, influencers, and global tourists who treat F1 like a theme park experience.
A Legacy Reborn
This was the third running of the modern Las Vegas Grand Prix, but the fourth time Formula 1 has raced in the city. The last time? 1982. Back then, the track was a flat, dusty parking lot outside Caesars Palace, with no grandstands, no lights, and no real fan zone. The 1981 race was won by Nelson Piquet. The 1982 race? A chaotic mess of tire blowouts and mechanical failures. No one thought Las Vegas would return. Then, in 2023, it did—with a vengeance.The 2025 event wasn’t just a revival. It was a refinement. The circuit layout—using Las Vegas Boulevard, Koval Lane, and Sands Avenue—has been tweaked for better overtaking. The lighting system? Upgraded to 4K LED arrays that eliminate shadows. The noise regulations? Still ignored, because in Las Vegas, louder is better. Even the weather cooperated: clear skies, 68°F at race time, perfect for tire performance.
What’s Next?
With the Qatar Grand Prix looming on November 28, the focus shifts to the final stretch of the 2025 season. Verstappen now leads the drivers’ championship by 78 points. Red Bull is on the verge of clinching the constructors’ title. But Las Vegas proved something deeper: F1’s future isn’t just about data and aerodynamics. It’s about spectacle. It’s about bringing motorsport into the heart of pop culture.Next year’s event will be even bigger. The Grand Prix Plaza’s new F1 DRIVE karting track will let fans race the same corners as the pros. Merchandise sales are expected to hit $120 million, double 2024’s total. And if the trend continues, Las Vegas could become the only F1 race to sell out every ticket—every year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix, and what was the winning time?
Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing won the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix with a race time of 1:21:08.429, completing 50 laps on the 6.201-kilometer circuit. He started third on the grid but overtook pole-sitter Lando Norris on Lap 7 and never looked back, securing his 18th win of the 2025 season.
Where exactly is the Las Vegas Strip Circuit located?
The circuit runs along the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada, just outside the city limits of Las Vegas. It passes iconic landmarks including the Bellagio, Caesars Palace, the Venetian, and the Fontainebleau, using Las Vegas Boulevard, Koval Lane, and Sands Avenue. The start/finish line sits near the Wynn Resort, with the main grandstands facing the former Grand Prix Plaza site.
How can I watch the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix in the U.S.?
While official broadcast details for 2025 haven’t been confirmed, ESPN held the U.S. rights for the 2023 and 2024 races, so it’s expected to return. Live streaming is available via ESPN+ and F1 TV Pro. For real-time updates, RacingNews365’s live blog remains the most reliable free source, offering lap-by-lap commentary and telemetry.
Why did the Grand Prix Plaza close after 2024?
The Grand Prix Plaza closed to undergo a $40 million renovation aimed at transforming it into a year-round F1 experience center. The new space, reopening January 30, 2026, includes a 4D immersive theater, an expanded karting track designed to replicate the actual circuit, and interactive exhibits featuring historic F1 cars. It’s part of a broader push to make Las Vegas a permanent motorsport destination.
How does the 2025 race compare to the 1981-1982 Las Vegas races?
The 1981 and 1982 races were held in a flat, open parking lot at Caesars Palace with minimal infrastructure—no lighting, few grandstands, and poor safety measures. The 2025 event is a global spectacle: 250,000+ attendees, 24-hour entertainment zones, LED lighting rivaling Broadway, and a circuit engineered for safety and speed. The modern race is less about endurance and more about precision, spectacle, and fan engagement.
Is the Las Vegas Grand Prix here to stay?
Almost certainly. The 2025 event generated an estimated $380 million in economic impact for Nevada, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. With ticket sales consistently sold out and global broadcast deals expanding, F1 and Las Vegas have signed a contract extension through 2031. It’s no longer a novelty—it’s a cornerstone of the calendar.
