Viva Las Vegas, Formula One betting big on Sin City race

LAS VEGAS: After more than four decades Formula One returns to Las Vegas bringing together the world's hottest sport property and the planet's party capital for a turbo-charged weekend that could see more action off the track than on it.

With Red Bull's Max Verstappen having weeks ago clinched a third consecutive drivers' crown and a miserable forecast predicting cold, rainy weather for a Saturday midnight blitz down the Strip, the sporting elements for Formula One's most hyped race ever are not optimal.

But otherwise it is all systems go for the launch of an event F1 owners Liberty Media believe can propel the sport into a new money spinning orbit.

"I think once we have the event in Vegas there’s going to be a whole new recognition for Formula One in the United States, which still is our most important sponsorship market," said Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei in April. "A night race down the Strip that’s going to be iconic.

"I think that is going to kick off a new round of sponsor interest as well, and more broad sponsor interest."

While jaw-dropping prices have had Formula One fans thinking twice about a trip to Sin City, the sponsors, who provide the cash that fuels the sport, have no such concerns.

Close to 2,000 private jets packed with a cargo of well-heeled A-listers and deal-makers are expected to squeeze into local airports with visitors pouring US$1.7 billion into the local economy.

Wynn resort is offering the first-ever Las Vegas Grand Prix Million Dollar All-Access Experience that includes a $100,000 philanthropic gift.

Red Bull has constructed a 20,000-square-foot hospitality complex where the centre piece is the Holzhaus, an alpine inspired three-level party palace for VVIPs and team use only.

Ferrari, Mercedes, Aston