Preparations for the Grand Prix in Las Vegas are nearing completion.

      The Las Vegas street circuit is preparing to host a Formula 1 race for the third time, and this year organizers expect up to 300,000 fans to attend over the weekend.

      "In the first year we did not yet realize how interesting races in Las Vegas would be, but now we can say with complete confidence that we have a magnificent track that has been appreciated by the motorsport community, and we also have all kinds of incredibly entertaining attractions organized everywhere," emphasized Emily Prazer, Formula 1's commercial director and concurrently the head of Las Vegas Grand Prix Inc.

      If in the first years the local press wrote a lot about the inconveniences the Grand Prix caused for the city's residents, including businesses, that topic is now almost never raised. Apparently the population is beginning to get used to it and somehow adapt. We'll see whether such discussions continue after the race, but for now only information about road closures on the city’s main arteries is being published.

      On Tuesday all streets and roads are still open to traffic, although in certain places there are difficulties related to track preparation. Partial closures will begin tomorrow, continue on Thursday, and at 2 p.m. on Friday all streets adjoining the circuit will be closed until midnight.

      This will repeat on Saturday, with the main roads reopening only after 2 a.m. On Sunday transport disruptions are also possible, but those will be due to the dismantling of safety barriers and other elements of the circuit infrastructure.

      The Las Vegas Sun writes that in previous years there were incidents of vandalism that damaged pedestrian bridges, which remain open throughout the weekend. But now there will be a constant presence of city police there, tasked with maintaining order and preventing crowding.

      In addition, those crossings are protected and closed on both sides with special shields and panels — firstly, so that the track cannot be seen from there, and secondly, to prevent anything from being dropped from above.

      Tickets for the race weekend are still on sale and can be purchased online, but they are not cheap. According to the local press: prices for general admission tickets on the first day of the weekend start at $140, on Friday the price rises to $275, and on Saturday to $650.

      A ticket for all three days of the weekend will cost at least $1,000, and that is not for grandstand seating but for "standing room." However, its holder gets access to all the concerts that will take place on different days at different venues.

      For the public that can afford to spend more than twice as much, special comprehensive "packages" are offered; for example, for $2,250 you can purchase tickets as part of the Fuel the Magic program, developed by Formula 1 together with The Walt Disney Company — here you will be guaranteed a seat in the main grandstand, a walk down the pit lane, and access to special fan zones.

      Interestingly, the comprehensive program bearing Lewis Hamilton's name costs almost half as much, although anyone who splurges on it is guaranteed a seat in the grandstand, access to one of the fan zones, and some exclusive souvenirs from the seven-time world champion.

      For people who seek top-tier service and are willing to pay for it, special premium hospitality areas have been organized, but the Las Vegas Sun's author warns that a visit there will cost more than $9,000 — and that's for a single evening.

      All in all, there's plenty to choose from. Finally, let's quote a couple of lines from that newspaper: "Want to watch the race without having to rob a bank? There are options for that too — some are free, for others you'll have to pay."

      For example, at the F1 Arcade, the official fan zone of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, for $295 on the Saturday before the race start you can ride a modern simulator, satisfy your thirst (in the broadest sense) without any limits, snack, and listen to DJs. True, you'll have to follow the events on the track on TV, but the screens there are large and numerous.