A former world champion tied the knot in the Las Vegas paddock as Formula One took the drastic step of banning three colours on The Sphere.
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FORMER WORLD CHAMP GETS MARRIED IN THE PADDOCK
Las Vegas is considered the wedding capital of the world, so of course F1 had to erect a makeshift chapel in the paddock.
And a former world champion wasted no time in making good use of the facilities.
Jacues Villeneuve, who secured the world championship in 1997, tied the knot with his partner Giulia inside the chapel and even had an Elvis impersonator oversee the proceedings.
The happy couple even left behind a bottle of bubbly and a slice of cake for those who attended.
F1 BANS THREE COLOURS ON GIANT SPHERE
Formula 1 has taken the drastic step of banning three colours on the Sphere in an attempt to prevent drivers from being distracted on the Las Vegas circit.
Don’t expect to see the colours of red, yellow and blue flash up on the giant 111-metre tall ball which comprises a staggering 1.2 million LED lights and cost $2.3 billion to make.
The reasons why F1 blocked those colours from appearing on the screen is because they are used to provide information to drivers via LED trackside panels.
A red panel means a driver must return to the pits, yellow means there’s a potential hazard coming up while blue means a faster car is about to lap a driver.
Despite the potential to be easily distracted by a giant electronic ball, a number of the drivers insisted they wouldn’t let their eyes gaze upon the Sphere given the focus they’ll need when driving.
“It’s very obvious, it’s huge and we’re not going to miss it,” AlphaTauri’s Daniel Ricciardo said.
“But truthfully when you get in that kind of rhythm and that zone you’re aware of everything but you don’t really notice it.
“I got to my hotel yesterday and it was only this morning that I noticed these massive pieces of art on the wall.
“I didn’t even see them because yesterday I went straight to the room, straight to the bed.
“My attention and focus was there so I waan’t even aware of the other things in the room. So it’s a little bit like that.”
Williams driver Logan Sargeant added: “It’s either going to be really cool or really annoying. Honestly, I’m not sure. It’s really bright. I think it depends on what they would put on it.
“If it’s something extremely bright, then maybe it’d be a bit too much. But if it’s something a bit more subtle, I think that would be fine.”
‘LIKE A MOVIE SET’: RICCIARDO LAPS IT UP AS CELEBS DESCEND ON VEGAS
Daniel Ricciardo is loving the bright lights of Las Vegas and described it as “something from another world.”
The spectacle in Sin City has proven divisive, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen claiming he felt like a “clown” standing on stage during the opening ceremony.
However, Ricciardo has lapped up the hullabaloo in Vegas ahead of what promises to be one of the most high-profile events in F1’s glittering history.
“Vegas makes you feel like you are in a movie set,” Ricciardo told Sky Italy.
“The whole city just feels like something from another world. Not the real world.
“To have Formula 1 here … even the paddock, the way they brought it up, it’s crazy. It feels really cool.”
Although Ricciardo will be among the central attraction on race day, he will most certainly not be the most famous face trackside as a raft of A-list celebrities descend on Vegas.
According to The Independent, nearly 2,000 private jets are expected to arrive into local airports and will no doubt be boarded by some of Hollywood’s biggest names.
BUTTON BACKS FURTHER US EXPANSION
2009 world champion Jenson Button says he wouldn’t “have a problem” with F1 introducing a fourth race in the United States as debate surrounds the make-up of the sport’s calendar.
F1 has long placed importance on its European heritage races, such as Monaco or Spa, but such events have come under increased threat due to a resurgence in popularity in the US since American owners Liberty Media took control.
Last year saw the new Miami Grand Prix added to the calendar, while this year is the first event in Las Vegas in 40 years.
Both are expected to be wild successes, along with the United States Grand Prix in Texas which consistently attracts big crowds.
F1s rusted-on European fan base are increasingly concerned about the prospect of losing traditional venues from the calendar as a result of the push into the world’s biggest consumer market.
Button wants the biggest heritage races to remain safe, however, has suggested the time is right for F1 to not take a backwards step Stateside.
“I don’t think it would be a problem having four races here,” Button told The Telegraph.
“The US is massive. Look at California, it’s bigger than the UK.
“As long as we keep the classic circuits – the Monacos, the Silverstones, the Monzas – and as long as the track is a fun one to watch and to drive…”
Button put forward Road Atlanta in Georgia as a potential new venue.
F1 has also previously raced in Long Beach, California, Watkins Glen in New York State, and at the iconic Indianapolis Speedway.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS FROM VEGAS STREET CIRCUIT
Pictures from the brand new Las Vegas street circuit are beginning to surface online, while Sky Sports analyst Karun Chandhok has handed down his first impressions of the track.
The former driver walked the track on Wednesday and posted pictures from inside the barriers, showing Vegas’ iconic casinos in the background, and the multi-billion dollar Sphere.
Separately, the official F1 account posted a short video from a hotel balcony high above central Las Vegas, capturing just how spectacular the new racing venue looks while lit up at night.
Meanwhile, Chandhok addressed any concerns about the track surface itself after concerns were raised about the effect of cold Vegas night temperatures on F1 tyres.
“I have to say, they’ve done a really good job,” Chandhok said in a video posted on X.
“The tarmac looks really good, pretty high grip I think as well.
“Given the temperatures, I was a bit worried about the grip level, but I think the tarmac could be quite grippy actually.
“It’s been amazing to walk around the track and see that it’s all done well in time, no last-minute panics, so very impressive and I’m looking forward to seeing cars on track.”
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