Formula 1 enthusiasts attending the Las Vegas Grand Prix encountered a shock off the track this week, facing astronomical food prices that quickly became a major talking point alongside the racing action.
Sky-High Concession Stands Cause a Stir
The 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix, which began its practice sessions on Friday, immediately drew attention for more than just the cars on the circuit. Supporters at the event discovered that a classic portion of fish and chips was being sold for a staggering $24.
This eye-watering cost did not go unnoticed, sparking a wave of reactions on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. One fan shared a photo of the menu, which also listed sticky toffee pudding for $10, captioning the post, "Welp! No more complimentary food at the Vegas GP."
The post quickly garnered amused and outraged replies. One user quipped, "$24 for fish and chips??? They got Gordon Ramsay out there cooking for them??" Another commented on the inflated cost, stating it was akin to "London prices," while a third joked that the dish must have come "straight out of the King's personal kitchen."
Global Menu, Universal Sticker Shock
The pricing controversy was not limited to British fare. The inflated costs extended across the international food offerings at the venue.
An Australian meat pie was also priced at $24, while a serving of Chinese noodles cost $20 and pork chow mein was listed at $22. While one fan noted the prices were on par with a major NBA game, the overall sentiment highlighted the significant expense of dining at the high-profile event.
Treacherous Track Conditions Hinder Drivers
While fans debated food prices, the drivers faced their own challenges on the new Las Vegas Strip Circuit. Persistent afternoon rainfall created treacherous, low-grip conditions during practice sessions.
The weather proved particularly difficult for Lewis Hamilton. The British driver had a session to forget, struggling to find speed and ending up at the bottom of the timesheets. His qualifying was cut short, leaving him eliminated in the first segment and starting from a disappointing 20th position.
Speaking to reporters after the session, Hamilton did not hold back. He described the conditions as "probably" the worst he had ever seen in his long and decorated F1 career.
"That's definitely the slipperiest it has been, plus I couldn't get the tyres working," Hamilton explained. "[Visibility] was as bad as it gets. I couldn't see anything - I hit a bollard at one point, I just couldn't see the corner."
He admitted the result "feels horrible," but vowed to regroup for the main event, acknowledging the difficulty of making a comeback from the back of the grid.
