Formula One is Back in Sin City
Formula One is back in Sin City. For the third straight year, the world’s best drivers will hit the Strip for the high-stakes Las Vegas Grand Prix. With just three races left in the 2025 season, the championship battle is on between Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen. The Saturday night race in Vegas could shake things up once again in what’s been a back-and-forth fight all year long.
When is the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix and what time does it start?
The 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix is set for Saturday, Nov. 22. This year, the start time has been moved up by two hours — racing will begin at 8 p.m. PT.
What is the F1 Las Vegas TV schedule?
There will be three practice sessions and a qualifying session before the race, making for a busy three days in Las Vegas. Here’s the TV schedule and start times for each event:
Thursday, Nov. 20
- Free practice 1: 4:30 p.m. PT, ESPNEWS/ESPN+
- Free practice 2: 8 p.m. PT, ESPN2/ESPN+
Friday, Nov. 21
- Free practice 3: 4:30 p.m. PT, ESPNEWS/ESPN+
- Qualifying: 8 p.m. PT, ESPN2/ESPN+
Saturday, Nov. 22
- Las Vegas Grand Prix: 8 p.m. PT, ESPN/ESPN+
Where is the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix? Track location and layout
The street circuit takes place along the city’s most iconic landmarks — including the Sphere, Caesars Palace, the Bellagio and Paris Las Vegas. This, of course, forces much of the city into road closures and detours. Here are some facts about the track and a look at the layout:
- Length: 3.853 miles
- Turns: 17
- Grand Prix laps: 50 laps
- First F1 race: 2023
- Single-lap record: 1:34.876, Lando Norris (2024)
- Top speed: 229.28 mph, Alex Albon (2024)
- Previous winners: Max Verstappen (2023), George Russell (2024)
Tilke Design and Architects designed the F1 Las Vegas Strip Circuit layout.
F1 Las Vegas picks, podium predictions and championship standings
Norris enters Las Vegas in position to win his first world championship — but he can’t clinch it this weekend. Here’s how the title fight stacks up entering the weekend:
- Lando Norris (McLaren), 390 points
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren), 366 points (-24)
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull), 341 points (-49)
The race winner earns 25 points, so Piastri could technically leave Nevada in the lead if he wins and Norris finishes outside the top-10. Based on recent form, though, everything is going in the opposite direction. Norris has won the last two races, turning a 34-point deficit into a 24-point advantage by finishing ahead of his teammate in six straight races.
Looking at Las Vegas, McLaren has historically fared poorly at the track. They finished sixth (Norris) and seventh (Piastri) last November, and 10th (Piastri) and last (Norris) in 2023. Mercedes swept the top-two positions in 2024, with Russell winning and Lewis Hamilton (now with Ferrari) in second.
The podium is tricky to predict this year, but here goes: Russell repeats for his third win of 2025. Verstappen finishes second, while Norris claims third to keep rolling toward the title.
Conclusion
The 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix promises to be an exciting event, with the championship battle between Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, and Max Verstappen heating up. With the race scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 22, at 8 p.m. PT, fans can catch all the action on ESPN/ESPN+. The street circuit layout, designed by Tilke Design and Architects, features 17 turns and a length of 3.853 miles. As the season nears its end, the stakes are high, and the competition is fierce.
FAQs
- What is the start time of the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix?
The start time of the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix is 8 p.m. PT on Saturday, November 22. - Who are the top contenders for the championship?
The top contenders for the championship are Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, and Max Verstappen. - What is the length of the F1 Las Vegas Strip Circuit?
The length of the F1 Las Vegas Strip Circuit is 3.853 miles. - Who designed the F1 Las Vegas Strip Circuit layout?
The F1 Las Vegas Strip Circuit layout was designed by Tilke Design and Architects. - Where can I watch the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix?
The 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix can be watched on ESPN/ESPN+ at 8 p.m. PT on Saturday, November 22.
