LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – Formula 1 fans enjoyed another day of food, entertainment, and fun at the T-Mobile Zone outside Sphere on Friday, as race week continues in Las Vegas.
The zone was one of many packed for the final round of Formula One practice, followed by the qualifying round for Saturday’s Grand Prix.
8 News Now spoke with people who traveled to Las Vegas from all over the country and the world to see cars race down the Strip.
Monica Barnes, who said she was visiting from Virginia, has attended Formula 1 before and shared how much she loved the experience.
“It’s so amazing to see in person because you get to feel the energy and actually hear the sounds,” Barnes said. “It’s amazing. You’ve got to come see it in person.”
Another thing that drew fans to the T-Mobile Zone outside Sphere was the food, which was offered for free with the purchase of a grandstand ticket.
8 News Now spoke with Chef Colleen Zielinski of Patina Restaurant Group about creating a menu that everyone could enjoy.
“It really kind of elevated the experience to have an all-inclusive package,” Zielinski said of the food. “Where you are not worried about what am I going to do, what am I going to get,” she continued. “And what we are offering is that elevated restaurant feel across the board.”
Zielinski also shared that the food offerings were different daily, which is an update from 2023.
After the rounds wrapped up on the track Friday, 8 News Now spoke with Ferrari fan Pearl Lai about the city’s transformation for this event.
“It’s such a crazy experience because I feel like I grew up driving down the strip,” Lai said. “And then seeing my favorite cars racing down it is such a great experience.”
The T-Mobile Fan Zone at Sphere opens again at 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Ludacris is scheduled as the headliner, performing at 8:51 p.m. before the F1 Grand Prix at 10:00 p.m. Gates close at 2:00 a.m. Sunday.
