2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix
The #F1 Build-Up Report — 18th November 2023
It’s round 22 of 23, and we are back in the United States for the 3rd and last time in 2023. It’s the first time in over 40 years the Sin City hosts the pinnacle of motorsport, the Formula 1 Grand Prix, after a half-billion United States dollars of investment from Liberty Holdings into the construction of the circuit to what is it this weekend. It’s the 12th venue to host #F1 in the United States, the most for any nation.
There are no recorded fastest laps nor top speeds to compare in modern-era Formula 1 fairly
Circuit Statistics
It’s a street circuit in Nevada’s desert. Though the track surface might be new, the atmosphere could be dusty. The circuit also presents low-speed corners and long straights on the Las Vegas Strip.
The circuit is 6.201km long, with 2 DRS zones with a great overtaking opportunity given the long straights, 17 turns, 11 to the left and 6 to the right. There are no recorded fastest laps nor top speeds to compare in modern-era Formula 1 fairly.
Downforce setup similar to Monza
Team Analysis
Most teams are playing defence at this stage, trying to hold their positions. McLaren is the most improved team of the season, now trying to hold onto their 4th position in the Constructors’ Championship with 21 points ahead of Aston Martin.
Ferrari’s Charle Leclerc is in danger of finishing outside the top 6 for the 3rd time in the last 4 years. He needs a solid weekend to start converting.
Redbull’s Max Verstappen has had a stellar season, with a record 19 podiums, winning 15 of the last 16 races. However, when asked about the Las Vegas Grand Prix, he was pessimistic, stating that he felt it was 99% show and 1% sport.
Mercedes, AphaTauri, Alpine and McLaren will run a downforce setup similar to Monza, Ferrari will run a setup similar to Baku, while Redbull’s setup in terms of rear wing angle is as seen in the previous race in Brazil, with thin front wings.
Track temperature will be one of the biggest challenges drivers encounter
Race Strategy
As teams take to the streets, track temperature will be one of the biggest challenges drivers encounter on the Las Vegas Strip. It’s hovered around 15-19 Degrees Celsius, which is quite cold. That will be a challenge in warming up the tyres. McLaren’s race car swiftly warms up its tyres, which will be great for the team.
Teams will run the C5 (Soft-Fastest), C4 (Medium-Balanced), and C3 (Hard-Long Lasting), the softest tyres in the Pirelli tyre compounds, similar to Monza. The range will allow drivers to regain some grip and swiftly achieve tyre racing temperature faster. This will be crucial to counter the lack of grip a new track surface presents, and the low track temperature adds to the low-speed corners that work against tyre warm-up.
There are too many moving parts at the Las Vegas strip. Drivers will need to watch engine overheating due to the extremely long straights, as race cars spend a significant amount of time at top speeds over 50 laps. It could determine how much drivers push their cars, and unfortunately, the harder they push, the faster the tyres will warm up in cold conditions, but the faster the tyres will wear out and put the Team’s pit strategies to a real test. I won’t be surprised to witness mistakes or race retirements.
The amount of downforce applied on some cars should aid tyre warm-up to counter the low track temperature. That should add to the tyres warming up and achieving the required grip.
Main race lights out — Sunday 18th Nov 5.00 pm AEST (Convert to local time with Simple Timezone Convert)
Pre-Race Driver Standings (Top 10)
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) — 524pts — Crowned Champion
- Sergio Perez (Red Bull) — 258pts
- Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) — 226pts
- Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) — 198pts
- Lando Norris (McLaren) — 195pts
- Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) — 192pts
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) — 170pts
- George Russell (Mercedes) — 156pts
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) — 87pts
- Pierre Gasly (Alpine) — 63pts
Pre-Race Constructors Standings
- Red Bull — 782pts — Crowned Champions
- Mercedes-AMG — 382pts
- Ferrari — 362pts
- McLaren — 282pts
- Aston Martin — 261pts
- Alpine — 108pts
- Williams — 28pts
- Alpha Tauri — 21pts
- Alfa Romeo — 16pts
- Haas — 12pts
#Formula1 #LasVegasGP
