Max Verstappen may have been initially unimpressed with last year's inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix, but by the time he triumphantly crossed the finish line under the neon lights of the Strip, he, like many before him, had succumbed to the allure of Sin City. Amidst the smoky casinos and the cheers that accompany every roll of the dice, Verstappen is seen as a man who creates his own fortune, and no city is better suited to recognize this than Las Vegas. As he prepares to claim his fourth consecutive Formula One world championship, Las Vegas serves as the ideal backdrop for this exceptional driver.

Formula One, which promotes the race, has invested heavily in making it perhaps the most visually striking example of transforming a race weekend into an event. The grand ambition when Liberty Media took over the sport in 2017 was to turn each race into a Super Bowl, with events in 'destination cities.' In Las Vegas, they have achieved that and more, with the potential for a spectacular show to match, especially with a world champion ready to shine once again in Nevada.

The city is once again buzzing with F1 fever, this time hosting what is likely to be the championship decider, rather than last year's novelty of bringing the sport to the streets. The queue for the F1 Hub shop at the Venetian stretched over 200 meters alongside the artificial canals. The prevalence of race shirts in hotels has surged as the week progressed, with Red Bull and Verstappen being particularly well-represented among fans who appreciate success and recognize a rare talent when they see one.

Greg Martin, who flew in from Colorado for the race and has no affiliation with any team or driver but enjoys what US fans call 'auto racing' in all its forms, has been captivated by Verstappen's spirit. 'He's a fighter,' Martin said. 'He races hard, he gives it his all. That's what you want to see. It should be tough, and when it is, the best comes out on top. That's why I've come to see Max win.'

This sentiment is shared by many fans here, eager to see the F1 title decided in Vegas, despite Verstappen's driving style being considered ruthless by some. Indeed, the Dutchman has been penalized for such behavior, but it is also a trait exhibited by some of the greatest drivers in the sport, including Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher. In Vegas, right now, winning is all that matters, and Verstappen is exceptionally good at it.

Although he was, as always, cautious when the weekend began. 'I'm just looking forward to the weekend,' he said. 'Three races left, you're getting close to the end of the season and it's looking good in the championship, but we still need to score a lot of points, so we'll just focus on that. Once we are doing that, then you get closer to the end result. Of course, the target is to win the championship.'

Should he succeed, expect a special tribute in his honor from the fountains at the Bellagio. And the show, lest it be forgotten, is crucial. Last year's event started with a debacle. The first practice ended after just eight minutes when the cover on a water valve was torn loose under Carlos Sainz's car, ending the session and leading to a delayed second practice in front of empty grandstands due to staff reaching their work hour limits.

Yet it concluded with a thrilling race that more than lived up to the hype, with Verstappen winning after a remarkable comeback drive. F1 had pulled it off, undoubtedly bringing sighs of relief to the boardroom. With an emphasis on entertainment last time and demands on the drivers to perform, Verstappen had criticized it as '99% show and 1% sporting event' in the buildup; after a cracking race, he was converted, singing along to 'Viva Las Vegas' on his in-lap.

The circumstances this time are markedly different. Last year, Verstappen had already secured the title in a season he completely dominated, sealing it four rounds before Las Vegas. This time, he has had to fight for it, and to conclude it in a city that has seen so many decisive title fights in the past is entirely fitting.

To do so is straightforward. Verstappen leads McLaren's Lando Norris by 62 points, and if he finishes Saturday night's race with a lead of 60, the title is his. Any finish ahead of Norris will suffice, while the British driver must outscore Verstappen by at least three points to take it to the next round in Doha.

F1, of course, will be hoping Verstappen seals the deal under the spotlight of a city known for spectacle and excess. After all, should he fail by a narrow margin, the specter remains that he will finish the job at the next round, in a sprint race at Qatar in an almost empty, soulless, enormo-drome in the desert. That would be a damp squib compared to the overwhelmingly celebratory atmosphere Las Vegas has enjoyed all week.

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