Formula One drivers said the Las Vegas Grand Prix is finding its footing after its first year struggles and said they look forward to returning to Sin City for the flashy night race along the Las Vegas Strip.

Formula 1 drivers complained this week about the smell of marijuana as they prepared for the Las Vegas Grand Prix. One even joked they could fail drug tests.

Celebrities and Elvises descended on the paddock. Fireworks exploded after the race. And Formula One crowned its latest world champion, Max Verstappen. The Dutchman didn’t have the fastest car, nor has he for 70 percent of the season, he said. But he still managed to cement his name among the greats of the sport after finishing fifth.

Mercedes star George Russell emerged victorious as the winner of the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix, and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen clinched his fourth straight drivers’ championship by finishing fifth, one place ahead of Lando Norris, who’s in second place overall in the drivers’ standings.

While experts predict this year’s race will pull in slightly less than the $500 million or so in revenue for Formula 1 and the $1.5 billion in Las Vegas economic impact achieved in last year’s race, the contest and its weeklong festivities will still be a boon for all those involved.

The race is scheduled to start at 12:55 a.m. EST or 9:55 p.m. PST and will be broadcast on ESPN. Fans looking to watch can do so through FuboTV, which offers a free trial and $20 off your first month, or DirecTV Stream, which also offers a free trial. SlingTV doesn’t offer a free trial but does have other promotional offers available.

SportsLine's model analyzes Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and the rest of the starting grid's chances at the F1 Las Vegas GP 2024

Follow live updates from the Qatar Grand Prix weekend as McLaren, Ferrari and Red Bull fight for the 2024 constructors’ championship.

Oscar Piastri won the sprint race in Qatar ahead of team-mate Lando Norris as McLaren closed in on a first constructors’ title in 26 years. Much has been made of Norris’ lacklustre starts this season but the British driver blasted away from pole before playing the team game to help Piastri.