GET TO KNOW
THE CIRCUIT
There continues to be a huge buzz around the Las Vegas Grand Prix, and understandably so. With the party atmosphere the resort city is famous for, a Saturday night race under the lights and entertainment off track to match the action on it, this is one of the must-attend events on the F1 calendar.
What’s the circuit like?
Located in the heart of Las Vegas, the 6.2km, 17-turn street circuit winds its way past iconic locations like Caesars Palace, the Bellagio and the Venetian. With average speeds similar to Monza, otherwise known as F1’s ‘Temple of Speed’, fans are guaranteed plenty of action and overtaking.
When was the track built?
The 2023 Formula 1 season saw drivers tackle an all-new circuit in Las Vegas, encompassing the very best the City of Lights has to offer – including the famous Strip.
When was its first Grand Prix?
Las Vegas previously staged two F1 races – under the Caesars Palace Grand Prix moniker – in 1981 and 1982. It played host to the season finale on both occasions, with Williams driver Alan Jones winning the 1981 race and Michele Alboreto taking his maiden F1 victory for Tyrrell at the 1982 encounter. Meanwhile, Nelson Piquet and Keke Rosberg clinched the title in ’81 and ’82 respectively with fifth-place finishes.
SAFETY CAR
PROBABILITY:
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PROBABILITY:
Trivia
F1 previously staged two races in Las Vegas in the early 1980s under the Caesars Palace Grand Prix moniker.
FIRST GRAND PRIX:
2023
TRACK LENGTH:
6.201km
LAP RECORD:
1:34.876
Lando Norris (2024)
Previous winners
2024 George Russell (Mercedes)
2023 Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
Previous polesitters
2024 George Russell (Mercedes)
2023 Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
PIT STOP
TIME LOSS
20.0s
(including 2.5s stationary)
OVERTAKES COMPLETED IN 2024:
113
POLE RUN TO TURN 1 BRAKING POINT:
The Driver's Verdict
Jolyon Palmer
Former Renault F1 driver
The track comprises long straights and slower corners. The long straights will necessitate slashing the downforce levels, so the cars will feel inherently skittish before you even factor in the cool temperatures. Building and maintaining tyre temperatures will also be tricky.
Turn 6 into 7 is one of the toughest braking zones, accelerating through a long left-hander before hitting the brakes for 7 – it’ll be easy to lock the inside front there.
Turn 12 is also crucial as it punctuates two long straights. Finding the balance between braking well and preparing the exit is tough, and mistakes here are punishing.
Having good braking ability and traction will be the key and, in general, corner exits will be crucial onto the long straights.
Current Form
What can be expected going into the Grand Prix weekend?
Lando Norris is the driver in form as the F1 paddock sets up at the Las Vegas Strip Circuit, having claimed back-to-back pole positions and victories at the Mexico City and Sao Paulo Grands Prix.
Combined with some struggles for McLaren team mate Oscar Piastri, it means the gap between the Briton and the Australian now stands at 24 points – just one short of a Grand Prix win.
However, the title race is far from over, with 83 points still up for grabs over the Las Vegas, Qatar (which features the final Sprint of the season) and Abu Dhabi weekends.
Behind them, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has been doing all he can to remain in the hunt, though his task has been made that little bit harder by falling 49 points off the championship lead.
Beyond the Drivers’ situation, there are some fascinating Teams’ battles brewing – none more so than Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari’s squabble for P2 in the standings.
And, while Williams are edging closer to a superb P5, it remains to be seen who will come away with sixth position, with Racing Bulls, Aston Martin, Haas and Kick Sauber covered by just 20 points.
Plenty to play for, then, around the famous casinos of Las Vegas…
Iconic Moment
Final lap drama
It’s only been on the calendar for a couple of years but the Las Vegas Grand Prix provided plenty of action and drama in the inaugural 2023 race – none more so than Charles Leclerc’s stunning last-lap pass on Sergio Perez.
