The Las Vegas Grand Prix returns with an exclusive yacht, Ferrari dining and Disney
Few places match the energy of Formula One week in Las Vegas. After drawing more than 306,000 fans in 2024, the Las Vegas Grand Prix returns this year with Bellagio once again at the center of the spectacle. The heart of the experience remains the Bellagio Fountain Club, an ultra-exclusive venue positioned above the famed Fountains.
This year’s race week introduces Fortuna, a 33-foot Riva yacht floating on Bellagio’s Lago di Como, a first for the resort and another example of Formula One’s magnetism for the global elite. The circuit runs directly past the Fountains of Bellagio, placing the resort at the center of the action as cars speed along the Strip’s most iconic stretch. Fortuna is one of only 18 vessels produced, and this new experience will be invitation only for select guests of Bellagio and MGM Resorts, similar to other highly exclusive experiences within its portfolio.
The precision behind Bellagio’s events mirrors the sport itself, starting as soon as fans land in Las Vegas. “We really go above and beyond to make sure everything feels effortless from the moment our guests arrive,” said Ryan Abboushi, president of entertainment at MGM Resorts International. “That starts with private transportation to and from the airport, followed by thoughtful touches like custom race-inspired amenities — think chocolate race helmets and a one-of-a-kind Bellagio Fountain Club race jackets.”
Culinary powerhouse
Race week transforms its restaurants into a global table where Ferrari, Michelin stars and master sommeliers share the spotlight. The debut of CARBONE Riviera headlines the resort’s culinary lineup, extending the long-running partnership between Bellagio and Major Food Group onto the lakefront.
Conceived by Mario Carbone, the restaurant brings the glamour of coastal Italy to the edge of Bellagio’s lake, combining theatrical service with Mediterranean ingredients and fountain views. “Major Food Group has built a first-class culinary empire and is the perfect partner to help us bring to life a truly one-of-one experience in such a treasured location,” said Ari Kastrati, MGM Resorts’ chief content, hospitality and development officer. Its debut aligns with the start of race week, a calculated move that places CARBONE Riviera at the center of Las Vegas’s most-watched weekend.
Ristorante Cavallino is the legendary eatery founded opposite the Ferrari factory gates in Maranello and reimagined by Chef Massimo Bottura as the culinary soul of Italy’s Motor Valley. Chefs Riccardo Forapani and Virginia Cattaneo reinterpret Emilia-Romagna’s heritage with the same technical mastery as the Prancing Horse. For the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Cavallino will take over Le Cirque from Nov. 19 to 22.
Across the resort, Chef Michael Mina expands the culinary calendar with three limited-engagement experiences that align race-day adrenaline with fine dining. On Nov. 20, Mina welcomes Chef Brooke Williamson for a special edition of The Guest List, featuring a four-course menu. The collaboration balances Mina’s signature elegance with Williamson’s bold, West Coast flavors.
The following afternoon, Erin Draper of Quintessa leads a wine-blending class, guiding guests through the individual components of Quintessa wines before they create a personalized blend, paired with Mina’s canapes. On Nov. 21, Master Sommelier Jason Smith joins winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown for an intimate Schrader Cellars tasting at PRIME Steakhouse, an hour-long exploration of Napa Valley Cabernet.
Where speed meets style
The fan-favorite Shoey Bar returns with a theatrical flair, featuring two limited-edition Sparco shoe designs inspired by Bellagio’s Chihuly ceiling and Conservatory displays. Guests can share The Helmet, a dramatic punchbowl cocktail served in an inverted F1 helmet; only thirty will be available throughout race week.
On the lakefront, La Terrasse de Champagne pours Moët Imperial, Dom Ruinart Rosé and Dom Pérignon beside the fountains, while the Ferrari Boutique debuts limited-edition apparel and one-of-one fashion pieces. The Marchesa trunk show brings couture and daywear to the Strip inside the resort, along with a special appearance from designer Georgina Chapman.
The family side of Formula One
Beyond Bellagio’s rarified experiences lies a broader trend shaping Formula One weekends across Las Vegas. Families treat the Grand Prix as a full-scale vacation rather than a spectator event, drawn to the sport’s glamour and the city’s expanding slate of entertainment.
“Like many major sporting events, Formula One has become an ideal centerpiece for fans planning memorable vacations with their families,” said Abboushi. “What sets the Las Vegas Grand Prix apart is the wide range of immersive experiences we offer beyond the race itself.”
Families booking Bellagio’s premium suites or Fountain View rooms during race week watch the race unfold across the illuminated Strip. Next door, The Cosmopolitan’s balcony rooms open onto expansive views of the Strip, where guests can watch cars flash through the circuit below.
“For the most extraordinary vantage point of the race itself, it’s [the] Bellagio Fountain Club — the ultimate viewing destination featuring direct sightlines of the track, complemented by world-class hospitality and entertainment throughout all three nights of the race.” A view that, for many, defines the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Plan the perfect family pit stop
Families drawn to the Grand Prix for its spectacle also face a unique set of logistics, from road closures to race-day timing. “Families should plan ahead and allow extra time to get acclimated,” said Alli England, vice president of premium sales and service. “Since the circuit runs right through the heart of the Strip, proximity is key.”
Selecting a resort near your ticketed zone can make all the difference, she explained, noting that road closures and heavier foot traffic can increase travel times. To streamline movement across the city, “families are encouraged to download the F1 Las Vegas App,” England added. The app includes real-time maps, ticketing and wayfinding to help fans reach entry points and seating areas more efficiently.
England noted that the earlier track schedule makes the event more accessible for families. “The race, as well as practices and qualifiers, also starts two hours earlier this year than last, which allows for a more family-friendly viewing experience,” she said. “We feel that the earlier track times will be more appealing to families.”
Where families fit in
For those seeking comfort with a clear view of the action, England pointed to the T-Mobile Zone at Sphere and the East Harmon Zone, which includes the Hello Kitty Grandstand. “Both areas offer plenty to see and do before and after the on-track action,” she said, highlighting live music, driver appearances and family-friendly fan activations.
She added that Formula One’s global appeal now extends well beyond the paddock. “Formula 1 has always been a sport that spans generations, and its family appeal has only grown in recent years,” England said. “The success of ‘Drive to Survive’ has introduced the sport’s personalities and drama to a wider U.S. audience, sparking new interest among younger fans.”
The inclusivity extends to the track itself. “For the first time this year, F1 ACADEMY, the all-female circuit, will run its final race of the season at the Las Vegas Grand Prix,” she said. “We hope that inspires many young girls in our community to get involved in motorsport.”
Fueling the magic
Disney’s arrival in the desert feels inevitable, the world’s greatest show meeting the city built to host it. When the Las Vegas Grand Prix returns this November, Mickey Mouse and friends will take center stage in front of the Fountains of Bellagio for a live performance set to music and fireworks.
The Disneyland Band will open race day with the national anthem, celebrating 70 years of happiness, and a new Disney x Formula 1 merchandise line will debut across the Strip. “Our collaboration with Disney builds on a shared passion for storytelling, innovation and creating memorable moments,” said Emily Prazer, chief commercial officer of Formula 1 and president and CEO of Las Vegas Grand Prix, Inc.
By the time the final laps fade, the fountains catch the flash of the cars, the sky crackles above the lake and laughter rolls from the terraces. It’s impossible to tell where Formula One ends and the show begins. And that, in true Las Vegas fashion, is the point.
Casandra Karpiak is a Thomas Lowell Award-winning writer and luxury travel expert. A regular contributor to Ultimate Experiences Magazine, Global Traveler Magazine, the Associated Press wire and Blox Digital wire, she primarily focuses on luxury accommodations and resorts, yachts and super yachts, small ship cruise lines, sports tourism and the intersection of wine and travel.