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Some of the most prestigious names in the world of poker were out in force for the eagerly anticipated Las Vegas F1 Grand Prix. This year marked the first time since the 1982 Caesars Palace Grand Prix that Formula 1 racing would be staged in the heart of the Nevada desert.

Seventeen-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner, Phil Hellmuth, was one of the most notable poker personalities to be spotted along the Vegas Strip. Hellmuth was snapped hanging out with Olympic swimming sensation, Michael Phelps, who has long been a poker enthusiast himself.

Hellmuth, nicknamed the “Poker Brat” in poker circles, posted a video on his official X account with Phelps overlooking the home straight of the new Las Vegas Strip circuit. During the video, Hellmuth warns Phelps he is bidding to overtake his haul of 23 gold medals by reaching 24 WSOP gold bracelets before the end of his career. Phelps attempts to take Hellmuth down a peg or two by replying that the Poker Brat can “compete in 28 events a year” whereas the 38-year-old only competed in 30 Olympic races in his entire career.

Hellmuth, 59, made his name in the 1989 WSOP Main Event, becoming the youngest winner of the tournament, a record which lasted until 2008. Texas Hold’em is his primary poker game. This poker variant is the most popular, largely because it’s possible for novices to use quick poker tips to get started with everything from hand rankings to positional play. Although the likes of Hellmuth would argue Texas Hold’em takes a lifetime to truly master.

Max Verstappen Is The Predictable Las Vegas Grand Prix Winner

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As for the race itself, the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix started at 10pm UK time, with Formula 1 organisers keen to have the iconic neon lights of the Vegas Strip providing the backdrop for this new street circuit. The track itself weaved around the new MSG Sphere, as well as other iconic venues like the Bellagio fountains and Caesars Palace. It’s said that F1’s owners invested upwards of £500m in bringing a race to the Las Vegas Strip. An investment that will be paid off over three years, suggesting this is a long-term move to cement Vegas as a 21st century motor racing destination.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who has already been crowned world champion this season, clinched his 18th race victory of the 2023 campaign. With 16 laps remaining, Verstappen edged his way into the lead, bouncing back from a five-second penalty awarded to him for forcing Charles Leclerc off the track at the opening bend of the race. Verstappen also sustained front wing damage following a collision with Mercedes’ George Russell.

The Red Bull car has been such a supreme racing machine this season that Verstappen only needed a third of the race to demonstrate his qualities and eke out enough of a gap over his closest rivals.

The magnificent fireworks that closed the race will live long in the memory too but, judging by the success of the race, we may only have to wait 12 months until the F1 returns to Sin City.