On Sunday, Formula 1 returns to action for the final American round of the season in Las Vegas. This will be the third running of the spectacular Grand Prix hosted by the iconic American “Sin City”.
The circuit is located in the heart of the city and runs along the famous Las Vegas Strip, lined with luxury hotels and world-famous casinos. The layout features 17 corners and three long straights that demand maximum power from the power units. As in the first two editions, the race is held at night, with low temperatures expected to play a major role and create significant challenges for teams and drivers.
LOW DOWNFORCE | CHALLENGING TYRE MANAGEMENT | LOW AMBIENTAL TEMPERATURES EXPECTED
The temperature profile indicates limited thermal stress on the tyres, mainly due to the low ambient temperatures. The right-hand tyres are slightly more loaded because the track runs anticlockwise, while the left-hand tyres come under greater stress through Turns 3 and 4.
Pirelli has confirmed last year’s selection and will supply the C3, C4 and C5 compounds, in order to better manage the low temperatures expected and help the tyres reach the proper level of grip.
As on any street circuit, grip levels are expected to be very low and to evolve significantly over the course of the weekend. In addition, Las Vegas is surrounded by the Mojave Desert, so initial grip will be further reduced by sand blown onto the track surface.
As shown by the data, expected wear on this layout is very low, but correct tyre management remains a key topic. With such low temperatures, it will be difficult to reach and maintain the optimal operating window, increasing the risk of graining. Overtaking is helped by the long straights, but a strong starting position is still important for managing the tyres over the stint. The weather and the limited run-off areas should not be underestimated either, as they could trigger safety-car periods and make pit-stop strategy particularly valuable.
