Prepare to be perplexed! Formula 1 is about to face the unexpected in Las Vegas this November.
The highly-anticipated Las Vegas Grand Prix will kick off at 10 p.m. local time (1 a.m. ET) for one main reason: it’s a strategic move to broadcast the race on Sunday morning in Europe. Plus, the late start aims to put the glitz and glamour of the Las Vegas strip in the spotlight during primetime.
However, what Formula 1 didn’t anticipate is the chilly weather. The temperature in Las Vegas in November will be cooler than expected, adding an extra burst of excitement to the event.
Check out the forecast for Las Vegas on Saturday here to see that temperatures for the race are predicted to be in the 50s, much cooler than what F1 is accustomed to. According to former Formula 1 executive Ross Brawn, the realization that it gets so chilly at night in Las Vegas in November took them by surprise.
“So, it can be really quite cold and of course getting the cars to work in those temperatures can be a challenge.”
This will mark the first time in a while that F1 will experience race temperatures in the 40s. While cold temperatures are common during preseason winter testing in Bahrain, the coldest race ever took place in 1978 when the Canadian Grand Prix was held in October. Find out how cold it got during the race here, and rest assured, it shouldn’t be as cold in Vegas.
Pirelli, the official tire supplier for F1, faces the challenge of determining which of its race tire compounds should be used for the weekend. Negotiating a brand-new track on city streets presents a significant enough challenge under normal temperatures. However, with the unexpected cold front, Pirelli and F1 teams will need to adapt on the fly throughout the race weekend.
F1 teams are very particular about the temperatures at which their cars operate optimally, including the tires. Drivers must quickly generate heat in their tires after pit stops while avoiding excessive wear and overheating. Striking the right balance is essential to maximize grip and minimize the risk of crashing.
Unlike most tracks, the tight confines of the Las Vegas track leave little margin for error. With the racing surface closely encased by walls in and around the strip, drivers will need to quickly adapt to this new track under unfamiliar, chilly conditions in what could be a high-stakes showdown. Get ready for some thrilling twists and turns!
