This weekend, Formula 1 will race in Las Vegas for the fourth time. After two events held on a track built around Caesars Palace in 1981 and 1982, last year the Grand Prix found a new home in the entertainment capital of the world, with the circuit incorporating part of the famous Strip from which it takes its name.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix is the third event this year held in the United States, alongside Miami and Austin. Following the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, which is 7.004 kilometers long, the Nevada track is the second longest on the calendar at 6.201 kilometers. It features 17 turns, to be tackled over 50 times during the race. The Strip circuit is a high-speed track with three straights and numerous overtaking opportunities, particularly at turn 14.
Once again this year, on-track action will begin with two practice sessions kicking off the event on Thursday, leading up to the Saturday night race, which will take place entirely under floodlights. While Las Vegas is not the only GP held at night, no other track experiences such a significant drop in temperature from day to night as this weekend’s event.
This is due to the city’s location in the Mojave Desert. Additionally, the November date rules out the spring or summer climate that characterizes most Grand Prix races. As a result, cars are likely to race in air temperatures of around 10°C.
As is customary for street circuits, Pirelli has selected the three softest compounds in the range, with the C3 as Hard, C4 as Medium, and C5 as Soft, the same as in 2023. The main challenge for tires will be warming them up, especially during qualifying, particularly for the front axle. Drivers will need to ensure they bring the tires up to temperature without overloading them, avoiding lock-ups during harsher braking. Moreover, the low temperatures reduce grip and can cause increased graining. These factors might accelerate tire wear, suggesting a two-stop strategy, which was the most common choice last year. However, a one-stop strategy can be highly competitive, especially if the driver gradually brings the tires up to temperature, extending their durability for a longer stint. Due to the difficulty in warming up the tires, pitting early to recover positions with an undercut is not very effective, and indeed, extending the first stint is the better choice.
As always on a street circuit, red flags and Safety Cars are a strong possibility, with all the uncertainties this can bring, including tire temperature management during restarts.
In 2023, Max Verstappen crossed the finish line first ahead of Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez. The tires used in the race were Medium and Hard, with the yellow-banded tire preferred by most drivers on the starting grid.
This year’s Las Vegas Grand Prix will be the 79th event of the World Drivers’ Championship held in the United States since the series began in 1950. This brings the United States level with Germany and Great Britain in second place for the most Grand Prix hosted by a single nation, with only Italy ahead, having hosted 107.
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