The Las Vegas Grand Prix has a new ride partner, and it does not come with a driver. On Thursday, November 5, Zoox announced a multi-year partnership with Las Vegas Grand Prix, Inc. that makes the company the Event and Official Autonomous Ride Hail Partner of the Formula 1 Heineken Las Vegas Grand Prix. The headline sounds like a race-week upgrade for this month. The most useful fact in the announcement sits underneath it: the dedicated robotaxi rides to and from Grand Prix Plaza do not start until 2027.
What the Deal Includes
Under the partnership, Zoox will run planned activations across Las Vegas throughout race week, and the deal builds on the company's existing relationship with the Atlassian Williams F1 Team. Zoox, based in Foster City, California, is an independent subsidiary of Amazon.com, Inc., and its vehicle is a purpose-built robotaxi designed around the rider.
Carly Wyatt, Zoox's vice president of experience, communications and marketing, said: "Our purpose-built robotaxi was designed around the rider to make getting around more seamless, comfortable, and enjoyable."
Brendan Dolby, vice president of commercial at Las Vegas Grand Prix, Inc., said: "Together, we have an opportunity to showcase the future of mobility on a global stage while building a partnership that extends well beyond race week."
This Month vs. 2027: What Actually Changes
Here is the split every race fan should plan around, because the partnership starts now and the Plaza service does not:
| When | What Zoox offers |
|---|---|
| 2026 race, November 19 to 21 | Race-week activations across Las Vegas. No dedicated Zoox pickup and drop-off zone at Grand Prix Plaza yet, so keep your normal race-week transport plan. |
| Starting in 2027 | Rides in the purpose-built robotaxi to and from Grand Prix Plaza, with a dedicated pickup and drop-off zone at the plaza. |
The release describes Grand Prix Plaza as North America's largest Formula 1 attraction. The 2026 race itself runs November 19 to 21 on a 3.8-mile circuit in the heart of the Strip, over 50 laps, with drivers reaching speeds of over 215 mph. A recently announced extension confirms the event in Las Vegas through 2037, so a multi-year ride partnership has a long runway to grow into.
How to Ride Zoox in Las Vegas Right Now
You do not have to wait until 2027 to try the service, and that is the second thing most readers will miss in the headline. Zoox already operates a public service area in Las Vegas. Use it this way:
- Get the app first. Download the Zoox app on iOS or Android and check ride availability for your trip before you count on a robotaxi.
- Use the current pickup network. Zoox's Las Vegas service area includes premium pickup and drop-off at major hotels, resorts and entertainment venues, plus Harry Reid International Airport.
- Keep a separate plan for the Plaza this month. For the November 19 to 21 race, a Zoox ride can cover the hotel or airport leg of your trip, but the dedicated Grand Prix Plaza zone is a 2027 feature, not a 2026 one.
No pricing for the future Plaza service was announced, so treat any fare guess you see this week as a guess. What is real today is simpler and still pretty remarkable: the biggest race on the Strip now has an official driverless ride partner, and Las Vegas is the city where that experiment rolls out in public, one race week at a time.
