Last night — or very early this morning, for East Coasters — the Red Bull driver won Formula 1’s inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix. The “outstanding” race was F1’s third stop in the US, following Austin, TX and Miami, FL, and was perhaps its biggest bet yet. The 3.8-mile track featured the iconic Strip and landmarks like the Bellagio fountains and the 366-foot-tall Sphere. That was the last lap in a three-day, star-studded spectacle that included fancy parties with performances by J Balvin and John Legend, caviar-fueled dinners from Michelin-starred chefs, lavish hospitality packages, and cameos by Rihanna, Justin Bieber, and more celebs. In the end, it’s expected to fuel $1.3 billion in economic activity. But the road to the finish line was rather bumpy.
That took a sharp turn.
As did Thursday’s practice session — leading some fans to file a class-action lawsuit. That followed months of locals complaining about construction causing major backups and street closures. Then there were the obstructed views of key Vegas attractions. And just over a week ago, a workers strike threatened to upend the entire race weekend. Not to mention that ticket prices — which initially cost about $2,000, on the low end — and hotel room rates fell by as much as 75%. All of which has people wondering whether American interest in the sport is running out of gas: The US TV audience for F1 races has reportedly slipped by about 8% from last year, while global viewership of Netflix’s “Drive to Survive” is down 7%. Though, some say that may have to do with the season’s lack of drama. The Red Bull team and Verstappen already clinched this year’s constructors’ and drivers’ championships (aka, the season’s top titles) over a month ago.
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After years of riding high in the US, there’s signs that Formula 1 may be losing momentum. But that’s unlikely to stop F1 from circling back to Vegas next year — particularly given its $240 million plot of land.
Here's a look at the reads we’ve saved, texted, and emailed to our friends…
Lauren Sánchez Is Looking to the Future…the future Mrs. Bezos on her love of helicopters, heading to space, and how she “blacked out” when she saw her engagement ring.
In case you missed it, theSkimm’s gift guides are packed to the brim with options for your dad, best friend, aunt, and literally everyone else on your list. Now grab your wallet because these items are pricey, but are perfect for a group to split:
Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life…
1. Eye-catching earrings that’ll help deck out your earscape.
Shine bright this season with this brand’s hoops, huggies, and flatbacks. And don’t wait, because they’re offering Skimm’rs early access to their 30% off Cyber Week sale.*
2. A dreidel ornament that's perfect for mixed-faith families.
If you're a Christmas-tree-and-menorah kind of household, you'll appreciate this chic dreidel ornament. It's made of glossy porcelain and has a pale blue ribbon for hanging. L'chaim.
Use code THESKIMM15 to get a discount on any full price item you like. If you need some inspo, we can't travel anywhere without this toiletry bag. It's padded to keep any glass packaging safe and water-resistant in case of spills.
Kick off Thanksgiving with Snoopy, Spongebob, and more larger-than-life characters at the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Then follow it up with a dog-gone good time at the National Dog Show.
PS: Want more events like this on your cal? theSkimm App gives you a heads-up on when everything from holidays to sports games to awards shows are going down. Download it here.
