Even though Formula 1’s first ever Las Vegas Grand Prix was a logistical nightmare, the Sphere made it one of the coolest visual experiences in racing. POV video of a lap around the circuit is so surreal that it feels like an alternate reality. Aerial video of the track looked like it was straight out of a video game.
The Sphere sat near turns 5, 6 and 7. Its 580,000-square foot exosphere is coated with a 16K LED display and lit up the sky. Nearly 1.2 million LED pucks make up the display. They are spaced eight inches apart. Each puck contains 38 LED diodes. Each diode can display 256 million colors.
When put to use alongside an event like the Grand Prix, there is no cooler modern venue in the world.
As drivers zipped around Sin City, the Sphere was watching! It had the best view in the city.
More than likely, the on-screen graphic was pre-recorded and played on a loop. However, the eyeballs were so in-sync with the race that they gave the impression that they may have been programmed live from data, or controlled by someone with a joystick.
The Sphere is adorable af!
The Sphere also played a big role in the podium ceremony as fireworks lit up the Las Vegas skyline.
By all accounts, the Las Vegas Grand Prix was one of the most miscalculated events in sports history from an operational standpoint. Fortunately, the Sphere singlehandedly saved the race.
Had the world’s most viral entertainment venue not been part of the experience, the weekend would have been a lot less entertaining. It rules.
Most people in the United States slept through the race, even though it was a pretty good one. There were all kinds of issues during practice. Tickets didn’t sell.
The whole thing was a logistical mess— except for the Sphere! When F1 fine tunes the experience for next year, it will probably be better handled. None of it matters if the Sphere is involved.