Grand Prix Plaza, the name that F1 Las Vegas uses for its pit building when the race isn’t in town, is reopening this weekend with fresh experiences as it tries to turn the venue into a year-round destination. F1 Las Vegas, owned by Liberty Media, is billing Grand Prix Plaza this year as the world’s largest immersive F1 attraction, with elements that include a go-karting experience over a longer course than last year, along with an interactive journey called F1 X, among other aspects. The plaza itself is open seven days a week, while the F1 X experience is open five days a week (closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays). A $49 package for the F1 Drive go-karting features karts designed to mimic F1 cars racing on part of the 1,470-foot-longtrack situated on the actual pit lane. F1 X is a 20,000-square-foot area that has exhibits similar to what might be seen at the F1 Exhibition touring events, where F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali in hologram form greets visitors; a historical area displays famous race cars, fire suits and engines; a 4D theater puts you in the middle of race action; and a video narrated by McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown recounts the history of F1 in America.
The area is filled with opportunities to have photos taken at different areas for social sharing opportunities, like at a podium. Fans also can share a selfie with screens showing the drivers or with the paint scheme they’ve designed to apply to a car virtually. The cost to attend F1 X is $59 with special lower rates for locals and military members. The Grand Prix Plaza also has a 2,500-square-foot retail space that has a real car used in the shooting of “F1 The Movie” along with several unique collectibles (such as F1 garden gnomes and co-branded collections), a restaurant and bar area called F1 Hub lounge and other private event space.
