In Las Vegas, money can buy you anything, provided you have it. One way to get it is by winning at the casino, say $35,000 for instance. But what can you do with that at the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas? We find out during a visit to the Paddock Club.
“Hey, bet it all on black,” my colleague Gwen cheekily advises me from the Netherlands as we wrap up a Teams meeting. We laugh about it. But I must admit, when you’re in Las Vegas, you inevitably start thinking: ‘What if…’
Well, wouldn’t it be fun if I spent the next few paragraphs detailing how I then sat down at the roulette table in the casino with a measly 50 dollars. How the hours passed with wins and losses alternating. How there was a big win, and then another, and another, and so on. How the night turned into day. And how, after three Budweisers, a cocktail, two waters, and especially ten coffees, I decided that a $35,000 profit was enough. But… of course, that’s not how it went.
Spending a few tens of dollars at a casino for a fun night out is one thing, but wagering hundreds or thousands of dollars on a single bet of black – or red, if you prefer – is something I wouldn’t dare to do. The ‘what if…’ thought, however, always lingers. And that’s fine: a little daydreaming about striking it rich in Vegas is harmless. But the pragmatist in me immediately wonders: how would I cash out all that money? Anyway, it’s a luxury problem.
And speaking of luxury, you can certainly buy it with $35,000 at the Lewis Hamilton Formula 1 in Las Vegas. Off to the Paddock Club, a place for the happy few. As a reporter, or just an ordinary Joe, I get a glimpse into the high life that the VIPs experience at the F1 circuit on this Thursday through a guided tour. Take the snacks and drinks in the Papi Steak Las Vegas / Fountainbleau lounge. With the pit lane exit on the open side, you can almost touch the cars.
A man adorned with plenty of bling, reportedly a well-known owner and influencer, is more than happy to pose for photos. His enthusiasm is infectious, it must be said. And his hospitality is heartwarming. A great guy, and undoubtedly a great experience. But as you might have guessed: a ticket for this F1 experience costs $35,000. “But you do get three days of access,” they say.
Right, yes. Maybe I should head to the casino after all. But let me say this: if I were to win that $35,000, I would probably do something different than going to Papi Steak. I’d rather finally get a racing license.
