The highly anticipated return of the Formula 1 World Championship to Las Vegas has racing fans eager to experience the excitement and thrill of the event. The last time the city hosted a Formula 1 race was in 1982, known as the Caesars Palace Grand Prix, which was held in the palace’s parking lot. Now, the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix, scheduled for this weekend, promises to be a significantly more spectacular event as it showcases F1 cars racing down the iconic Las Vegas Strip.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix serves as the penultimate round of the 2023 season and will take place on a street circuit known as the Las Vegas Strip Circuit. This 3.85-mile long track features 17 corners, making it the second-longest track on the calendar, only behind Spa-Francorchamps. The race is set to run for 50 laps, providing a thrilling experience for both drivers and spectators.
The circuit is strategically designed to capture several of the city’s most famous landmarks in its backdrop, including the new Sphere, and with the event being a night race, the neon lights of the city will also add to the spectacle. However, there have been some minor issues with street furniture, particularly manhole covers, posing a challenge to the drivers. During a practice session, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz encountered a loose concrete surround to a manhole cover, which resulted in damage to his car and an early end to the session.
The layout of the circuit features a mix of challenging sections, including a short run from the start line to the first corner, a series of flowing corners leading onto long straights, and a narrow chicane leading back to the main straight. The track’s design presents drivers with varying degrees of difficulty and pace, providing an exciting and competitive racing environment.
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In preparation for the race, simulations have shown that drivers will need to utilize full throttle for almost 80% of a lap, with estimated top speeds reaching around 212 mph, second only to those achieved at Italy’s Monza. The ideal car setup will need to balance high top speed with sufficient mechanical grip and downforce for the low-speed corners. Pirelli has selected its softest tire compounds – the C3 as the white hard, the C4 as the yellow medium, and the C5 as the red soft – for the race, with changing temperatures likely to impact grip levels.
The Red Bull Racing team, led by star driver Max Verstappen, has already secured the championship title. Despite this achievement, Verstappen remains wholly committed to the sport, and each additional win only contributes to his record-breaking season. His current record tally stands at 17 wins ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
As the race approaches, the standings in the 2023 Drivers’ Championship show Verstappen with 524 points, followed by fellow Red Bull driver Sergio Perez with 258 points and Mercedes-Benz AMG’s Lewis Hamilton with 226 points. In the Constructors’ Championship, Red Bull leads with 782 points, while Mercedes and Ferrari hold the second and third positions, respectively.
With the Las Vegas Grand Prix set to capture the attention of motorsport enthusiasts around the globe, the event is poised to deliver an unforgettable and action-packed racing experience, further solidifying Las Vegas as a premier destination for international motorsport events.
