The Las Vegas Grand Prix centered on the Strip has generally been considered a huge success since it was set on the F1 calendar in 2023, but it is not the first iteration of the event.
In 1981 and 1982, the Caesars Palace Grand Prix was staged on a track built in the parking lot of the Caesars Palace Hotel.
Neither the venue nor the circuit are fondly remembered, although it did host the championship deciders in both years.
In 1981, Williams’ Carlos Reutemann had a one-point lead over Brabham’s Nelson Piquet, while Ligier’s Jacques Laffite was also still in contention.
Frenchman Lafitte needed to finish first or second to have a chance, at a time when only the top six drivers scored points, but Argentina’s Reutemann looked well prepared when he qualified on pole.
However, he lagged throughout the race, ultimately finishing eighth, and was overtaken by race winner and team-mate Alan Jones.
Brazilian Piquet suffered from heat exhaustion in the final stages, but managed to finish fifth, giving him the two points he needed to overtake Reutemann, with Laffite finishing sixth.
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