What happens in Vegas: F1’s wildest race blends trackside weddings, $37 pies and manhole mayhem
The Las Vegas Strip is famous for being a little bit extra, but even by Vegas standards, things have gone wild.
The Formula 1 carnival has rolled into town, turning the city upside down for the weekend.
From drivers marrying fans in the ‘Neon Chapel’, cocktails served out of hand-crafted boots, and the recurrence of the manhole saga of 2023, this race embraces Vegas’ unique energy.
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A couple get married by an Elvis impersonator at the wedding chapel set up at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Bryn Lennon/ Formula 1 via Getty Images
Despite the fanfare, Las Vegas is also heralded as a track that promotes great racing.
The street circuit consistently delivers a spectacle, which is only doubled when wet weather hits the circuit, causing drivers to flail dramatically around the track.
With a design ideal for overtaking, Las Vegas is set to deliver an electrifying show both on and off the track.
Raise a ‘shoey’, Vegas style
While Lando Norris launches the 2025 race from pole position, you can be raising a toast the only way Vegas knows how: sipping your cocktail out of a shoe, Shoey Bar style.
To let guests fully re-enact Aussie Daniel Ricciardo’s famous ‘shoey’ celebration, the Shoey Bar at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino sells limited-edition MGM Rewards-branded driving shoes.
The hand-crafted shoe is filled with a cocktail of choice and includes a waterproof liner to keep all materials separate from the drink.
Quench your thirst for the meagre price of $210. Of course, you’ll need to buy a second one if you want to wear the shoes.
If you’re really parched, you can also get an F1 helmet filled with 818 Reserve Tequila, Cointreau and Dom Perignon for about $3,100.
The Shoey Bar pays homage to Daniel Ricciardo’s iconic, champagne-in-a-boot podium celebration. Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag
From pit lane to pews
In a moment that perfectly captured Vegas’ absurdity, Mercedes reserve driver Valtteri Bottas was spotted in the paddock walking a bride down the aisle.
The celebrity escort was just one highlight as the couple tied the knot amid the racing action.
For the ceremony, Bottas walked down the aisle holding the bride’s bouquet, sporting a sequined Las Vegas Grand Prix bomber jacket and his signature Mercedes cap.
A wedding chapel has been set up directly in the Las Vegas Grand Prix paddock, ready for nuptials. NurPhoto via Getty Images
Drain covers deja vu
Since the Las Vegas Grand Prix is hosted directly on a functional public road — the famous Strip — organisers have been facing a familiar problem that previously curtailed practice sessions.
In a near-repeat of the track’s inaugural issues, a loose manhole cover once again caused the second practice session to be red-flagged on Friday (AEDT).
To prevent the drain covers from being sucked up by the intense downforce of the passing cars, the track crew was forced to work through the night, welding and securing every single cover.
All loose manhole covers across the circuit were fully inspected and secured. Getty
Price of ‘Aussie pie’ highlights Vegas price outrage
Prices at grands prix are notoriously high, but as IndyCar driver Scott McLaughlin pointed out, $37 for a single ‘Aussie meat pie’ is a truly stomach-turning expense for fans.
Since its debut on the F1 calendar, the Las Vegas Grand Prix has faced intense criticism for the high prices associated with its exclusive US race experience.
General admission tickets for the race start at $464, with three-day passes starting at $620 — a price point believed to be a 25-30 per cent decrease from previous years.
Although organisers promoted broader affordability and strong early sales, many F1 fans remain unconvinced that the Las Vegas Grand Prix pricing reflects genuine accessibility.
$37 will also get you some fish and chips, if you’re not feeling a meat pie.
Glimpses of Danny Ric stateside
Ricciardo is a familiar sight at the US races, where he consistently follows his band of friends through their F1 schedule to join in the unique trackside merriment.
In a playful twist, former Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen has revealed that he may reclaim the beloved No.3 from Ricciardo for the 2026 season.
“That’s a very good question! I will look at it over the winter, but my favourite number is No.3. We just need to see whether that is actually possible,” Verstappen said.
“I actually wanted No.69, but my dad said, ‘That’s not a good idea’. But that number always looks the same, no matter how you look at the car.
“Sixty-nine would be very good for the photos and marketing, and for the caps as well. It doesn’t matter how you wear them, it always stays No.69. In that respect, it would be a good marketing tool.”
