Racing in Texas and then Mexico City and then Brazil, followed by a quick trip back to the United Kingdom before finally arriving in Las Vegas, Formula One driver Alex Albon could not stop thinking about his golf game.
He felt up to speed on the Las Vegas Street circuit after turning about 500 laps on a simulator. His golf game? Not as sharp.
Albon was among the four drivers who competed in “The Netflix Cup,” a made-for-TV golf match that paired F1 drivers with golfers from “Full Swing.”
The streaming giant’s first foray into live sports coverage kicked off a week of parties and concerts ahead of Saturday night’s race down the Las Vegas Strip.
“We’ve had three races, been in Mexico, Brazil and the United States, and all I was worried about was this match,” said Albon, who upon landing in Las Vegas played a round with a golf coach and his girlfriend, Lily Muni, a player on the LPGA Tour.
The match at Wynn Golf Club was won by Justin Thomas and partner Carlos Sainz of Ferrari, who promptly dropped and broke the trophy as he and Thomas celebrated with champagne and checkered flag winner’s jackets Tuesday night. Sainz laughed it off because it was a breakthrough moment for the Spaniard, an outstanding golfer who earlier this year played in the Ryder Cup All-Star Match in Rome.
“Unfortunately I am not progressing anymore, I am completely stuck because I cannot play more than I already play,” Sainz said. “My God, I would like to become a much better golfer. But F1 is taking me too much time.”
As will this week in Las Vegas, which promises to be nothing like any other race on F1’s 24-event calendar. The casinos, clubs and restaurants have packages catered for fans looking for something to do while waiting for the cars to hit the track late each night, beginning Thursday.
There’s a “Shoey Bar” at the Bellagio’s Fountain Courtyard where guests can buy “limited-edition MGM Rewards-branded driving shoes hand-crafted by an iconic motorsport apparel designer” and then mimic Daniel Ricciardo and chug a cocktail from the shoe.
Over at the Aria, a celebrity stylist was giving the Valtteri Bottas haircut, which is presumably a version of the mullet the Finnish driver has been rocking all season. Bottas and Alfa Romeo teammate Zhou Guanyu were scheduled to stop by.
Ferrari has a pop-up boutique at the Bellagio, the Chandelier Bar in the Cosmopolitan is offering special drinks and show cars are everywhere — from baggage claim at the Las Vegas airport to multiple casinos along the Strip. Photo opportunities abound.
Hell’s Kitchen in Caesars Palace has a special dinner with chef Gordon Ramsay, who will discuss his love of F1 during the four-course, $500 meal.
Nobu has a sushi demonstration with chef Nobu Matsuhisa and a meal of toro, A5 wagyu, caviar and cocktails for $500. STK in the Cosmopolitan is offering “The Full Throttle Cocktail” for $32 in a souvenir cup. Bravo fan? Vanderpump à Paris is showcasin g A Very Vanderpump Brunch, with a special menu, Vanderpump-branded rosé and an appearance by Lisa Vanderpump for $250.
