F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix: Both drivers and teams set into the unknown in Sin City

Phillip Horton

16 November 2023

Formula 1 will race through the streets of Las Vegas in one of the most hotly-anticipated sporting events of the year.

The championship previously visited Nevada’s entertainment capital in the early 1980s but the event was unpopular, accentuated by an insipid circuit laid out in the parking lot of the Caesars Palace hotel.

Four decades later, Formula 1’s popularity in the United States has boomed and this time the championship will well and truly take over the streets of Las Vegas.

What is the circuit like?

There are elements of Monza, Baku and Singapore when it comes to the Las Vegas Strip Circuit.

At 6.2km it is among the longest on the current calendar and there are several lengthy full-throttle sections which should facilitate side-by-side racing.

The showpiece section is a 1.8km section along the Las Vegas Strip, past the Bellagio fountains and the high-roller hotels, while the circuit will also pass the new MSG Sphere.

A permanent pits and paddock complex has been constructed just off East Harmon Avenue and it is here where the five red lights will go out.

What are the challenges?

It is a new circuit for all 20 drivers as well as the 10 teams.

They have had the layout for a lengthy period of time but until turning a wheel in practice no-one can be quite sure of the exact challenges thrown up by the track surface.

As a street circuit the walls are never far away so drivers will have to be careful not to lock a wheel and end up compromising their weekend.

The event is night-based, like several on the calendar, but with a race start of 10pm on Saturday – and qualifying starting at midnight – they will be some of the latest session times in Formula 1 history.

The weather will also play a factor, with night-time in November in Nevada not known for warm temperatures, meaning one challenge will be for teams to get heat into the tyres, and ensuring the front and rear of the car is co-operating as one unit.

Ensuring drivers stay focused, amid the likely razzamatazz and off-track requirements, will also be one task for team managers.

Who is the favourite?

Max Verstappen has won 17 of this year’s 20 grands prix so despite the new surroundings for Formula 1 it would be remiss not to mark him down as the firm favourite.

However, the Dutchman has never been a huge fan of street circuits, while Red Bull’s RB19 has been less dominant at street-based venues and in cooler conditions, so there could be a chink – albeit a small one – in the armour.

Lando Norris arrives in Las Vegas on a run of five podiums in six grands prix, making him one of the in-form drivers, while Fernando Alonso returned Aston Martin to the rostrum in São Paulo after a difficult spell.

Ferrari – and in particular Mercedes – had chastening times in São Paulo and will be eager to rebound at such a high-profile event.

It is also a third home grand prix for Logan Sargeant; his Miami experience was tough but in Austin scored his maiden Formula 1 point, a situation he’ll be keen to replicate as he stakes his claim for a 2024 seat.