After two editions held in 1981 and 1982 on the track set up around Caesars Palace, Formula 1 made its grand return to Las Vegas last year. The event became a true weekend spectacle, as anticipated, while also delivering plenty of on-track action with multiple overtakes, some featuring impressive braking maneuvers at the end of the track’s longest straight.
The circuit spans 6.201 kilometers, making it the second-longest on the calendar after Spa-Francorchamps (7.004 km), with 17 corners to be tackled 50 times. It’s a fairly fast layout, featuring three straights and top speeds that reached 350 km/h last year. The track offers a mix of corners, from high-speed sections where rear-end traction can be tricky, to slower segments like chicanes.
Compared to 2023, teams now have a full season behind them, better familiarity with the track and the tires, making it interesting to see how they adapt to the challenges and low temperatures of Las Vegas. Temperature swings between day and night are significant due to the city’s location in the Mojave Desert. Moreover, scheduling the race at the end of November means conditions are far from spring-like.
It’s likely that cars will run in air temperatures around 10°C, while track temperatures will be slightly higher but still cold. Last year, the maximum recorded track temperature was just 19°C.
As is customary for a street circuit, Pirelli has chosen the softest compounds from its range for this race: C3 as Hard, C4 as Medium, and C5 as Soft, the same selection as in 2023. The key challenge of the weekend will be warming up the tires, especially during qualifying sessions, with particular attention required for the front axle. Drivers will need to carefully bring the tires up to the right temperature without over-stressing them while avoiding lock-ups in critical braking zones, such as those at the end of long straights. It’s important to consider that tires tend to cool on straights, increasing the risk of locking up during braking.
Additionally, as seen last year, low temperatures reduce grip, which raises the likelihood of graining. This could also lead to faster wear, favoring two-stop strategies, which were popular last year partly due to race neutralizations caused by debris. However, a single pit stop remains an option.
Due to the challenges of warming up the tires, early pit stops aimed at gaining positions are not very effective. Pirelli notes that extending a stint tends to be more beneficial, as the tires are already up to temperature.
It’s worth emphasizing that this year, teams have the benefit of a year’s preparation, which could make them better equipped for the Las Vegas challenge. The 2023 experience will be valuable not only for the teams but also for Pirelli.
A significant amount of data on grip levels and asphalt roughness was collected and shared with the teams, who in turn provided their simulations. One of the first tasks for both the teams and the Italian tire supplier will be to verify the initial roughness and grip levels of the track and compare them with last year’s data. This will be done during the usual on-track inspections and through subsequent analyses.
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