F1 US GP - Las Vegas (Nov 19)

[GuidoK]

F1 US GP - Las Vegas (Nov 19)

Schedule:
https://www.formula1.com/en/racing/2023/Las_Vegas.html

Las Vegas Strip Circuit

Las Vegas
When was the track built?

The 2023 Formula 1 season sees 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.
What’s the circuit like?

Located in the heart of Las Vegas, the new 6.2km, 17-turn street circuit winds its way past iconic locations like Caesars Palace, the Bellagio and the Venetian. With average speeds expected to match Monza, otherwise known as F1’s ‘Temple of Speed’, there promises to be plenty of action and overtaking.
There are 2 DRS zones (not shown); one on the bacon back, which is one of the longest straights on the F1 calender, and one on the porkbelly bottom.
Why go?

There’s already a huge buzz building around the Las Vegas Grand Prix, fuelled by a 2022 launch event that gave drivers and fans a glimpse of what’s to come. 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 will be one the events to attend in 2023.
Where is the best place to watch?

A host of ticketing options are available for the Las Vegas weekend, ranging from VIP packages to grandstand seating and general admission. But whatever you go for, a spectacular experience awaits – as cars blast around a high-speed circuit set against one of the most vibrant backdrops F1 has ever seen.

As this track is new, there are no previous threads or last years highlights.

[GuidoK]

So what is your prediction?

This track has long straights from which the Las Vegas strip is one of the longest on the calender.
And as this is a street circuit, it might be a bit bumpy.
My prediction is that cars that have good aero, a good floor will be fast here. So a track favouring RB, McLaren and maybe Williams.
Not so good for Mercedes and AlphaTauri I think.
However due to potential cold temperatures during the race in the evening, it's hard to predict how certain cars will suffer from tyre deg etc.
It will be interesting because this track is new and different in many ways from most tracks.

My prediction:
1. VER
2. NOR
3. PER
4. PIA
5. LEC
6. ALB
7. SAI
8. ALO
9. HAM
10. RUS

I hope they get some good camera angles. Seeing the F1 cars at night with the casino's colourful background scenery should give some spectacular views.
That is for me part of the appeal of street circuits. That is why I like Monaco and Baku. Racing right through majestic cities where you get a real feel for the city. This might become another favorite of mine.
Racewise on technical merits, this track might be less interesting (although we won't really know until we see the race), so the views have to make up for that (or in Liberty terms: money makes up for it of course...)

Lets hope for a crash free race. Right after the start there is a mean hairpin.

[M5Rick]

1 VER
2 NOR
3 PER
4 LEC (max boost on straight for this one
5 PIA
6 SAI
7 ALB
8 ALO
9 RUS
10 HAM

[bagekko]

It's going to be a wreck fest, I just drove pretty much the whole track, its very narrow and the surface isn't great. Outside of the backstretch the rest of the track goes through nothing, we'll there is the Sphere but thats so off strip, no-mans land is where most the track is. There was one spot on can't remember front or back stretch driving at like 10-15mph we felt a significant elevation change. Any wreck is pretty much a guaranteed red flag, I said to my friend how and from where are they gonna get a wrecked car off the track. From in car views there are so many circuit lights you will not see anything except the road in front.

[M3WC]

I got Checo getting his first podium in 7 races.

This track layout gives Baku vibes.

[GuidoK]

Originally Posted by M3WC

I got Checo getting his first podium in 7 races.

This track layout gives Baku vibes.

Do you also have a more elaborate prediction?
Like a top5 or something?

[GuidoK]

Originally Posted by bagekko

It's going to be a wreck fest, I just drove pretty much the whole track, its very narrow and the surface isn't great. Outside of the backstretch the rest of the track goes through nothing, we'll there is the Sphere but thats so off strip, no-mans land is where most the track is. There was one spot on can't remember front or back stretch driving at like 10-15mph we felt a significant elevation change. Any wreck is pretty much a guaranteed red flag, I said to my friend how and from where are they gonna get a wrecked car off the track. From in car views there are so many circuit lights you will not see anything except the road in front.

That doesn't sound good.
I've never been to Las Vegas, but have looked on google maps. But as there most of the track isn't even layed out, it's difficult to get a feeling for the size and conditions etc.
Anyway, the strip should give plenty of visual stimulation.
Having them race with these kind of backgrounds but then lit up at night:


And with the strip being that long, I think they'll be doing ~350kph

[bagekko]

Oh I wish it looked like that today, the front of the Bellagio is completely ruined. From the Sphere to the backstretch there are concrete barriers down the middle of the road and same on the sides, they only race on 1/2 it. Same goes from the back stretch to start finish, the turn at the end of the backstretch looks like hell. The section around the Sphere might look ok. The front stretch looks like crap, might look nice as you see the Wynn the whole way down. I assume concrete barriers will be placed along the median on the strip where its trees.

Most of the stands are right on the edge of the track and elevated 10+ ft, almost none of all the stands aside from start finish complex are set back.

I will try to post pics later my friend took, I was driving. We were shocked what a mess the whole area was, would never guess the race weekend starts in 10 days. I never could imagine Vegas would be in such rough shape, its way to busy a place to cause this much disruption. There were 3 temp 4 lane bridges built over the race track and 3 temp bridges for pedestrians, with all that plus the fencing, lights, and temp grandstands we can not even fathom the cost. Only the 2 buildings/stands at start finish are permanent.

Originally Posted by GuidoK

That doesn't sound good.
I've never been to Las Vegas, but have looked on google maps. But as there most of the track isn't even layed out, it's difficult to get a feeling for the size and conditions etc.
Anyway, the strip should give plenty of visual stimulation.
Having them race with these kind of backgrounds but then lit up at night:

And with the strip being that long, I think they'll be doing ~350kph

[GuidoK]

Lets hope they fix it up in those 10 days.

[3798j]

"I think we are there more for the show than the racing itself if you look at the layout of the track." - - - Max Verstappen
https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-news/10...ax-verstappen/

[Artemis]

LMFTFY

Originally Posted by GuidoK

My prediction:
1. MAX VEGAS
2. NOR
3. PER
4. PIA
5. LEC
6. ALB
7. SAI
8. ALO
9. HAM
10. RUS

Originally Posted by M5Rick

1 MAX VEGAS
2 NOR
3 PER
4 LEC (max boost on straight for this one
5 PIA
6 SAI
7 ALB
8 ALO
9 RUS
10 HAM

[Jbrown7403]

A recent video of a “track” walkabout. Lots of work yet to be completed.
.

[Car-Addicted]

My prediction:
1) Max
2) Who cares as long as it's a good race.

Generally I hate street races and I expect this will also disappoint but It's better that no race and maybe Vegas can bring new fans into the sport.

Let the gambling begin!

[GuidoK]

I think it's going to be interesting from a technical pov.
It's gonna be late in the evening, so very cold.
Performance wise that's interesting as cold air is dense -> more air=more power.
Dense air also gives a completely different aero performance.
Cold air means cold tyres, cold road surface, great brake cooling.

It might just as well be that some teams might get huge benefits from this compared to others.

Will Max dominate the race? Yes probably. Just because he's so much in control, his team is in control and they understand their car very much.
But on a track like this it could just as much be that another car might be better than the RB...
ok probably not because the RB has such an efficient aero packeage, which I think will be key here with both the high speeds and dense air, but I expect most teams to come with a custom aero packeage for this race.

[GuidoK]

Originally Posted by Jbrown7403

A recent video of a “track” walkabout. Lots of work yet to be completed.
.

That is a huge undertaking! People do the strangest things, holistically speaking. I'm glad I don't work/live in Las Vegas. Moneywise I guess it balances in the plus...for Liberty and the hotels etc at least.

I don't know what they're gonna do with the sphere, but can you imagine using it as a huge screen so the drivers can watch themselves in it as the camera zooms in?
That could be so strange I imagine, like matrix irl strange vibes...
For sure that'll make Max steer off the track

[M5Rick]

For those not having champagne and caviar on the GP weekend I found a vid on where to eat cheap though there may be a long wait.

[M3WC]

Originally Posted by GuidoK

I think it's going to be interesting from a technical pov.
It's gonna be late in the evening, so very cold.

Low 40f at race start. Pirelli is bringing three softest tire compounds.

The new asphalt is smooth. Combined with very cold temps, generating energy in tires will be difficult.

I know Merc has had trouble earlier in season getting temp into the tires for quali runs. Sometimes doing two warmup laps. I saw a quote from Albon saying some teams might have to do 3 to 4 prep laps.

[bagekko]

I had no idea the race was a night race until seeing all the lights, but why does it start 10pm PST, 1am EST? Don't they know that's primetime for the Brodozers w/ LEDs and people renting Lambo's to cruise the strip?

[GuidoK]

Originally Posted by bagekko

I had no idea the race was a night race until seeing all the lights, but why does it start 10pm PST, 1am EST?

...for me it's 7:00 AM sundaymorning....
Good grief

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by GuidoK

I think it's going to be interesting from a technical pov.
It's gonna be late in the evening, so very cold.
Performance wise that's interesting as cold air is dense -> more air=more power.
Dense air also gives a completely different aero performance.
Cold air means cold tyres, cold road surface, means zero grip (!)

It might just as well be that some teams might get huge benefits from this compared to others.

Will Max dominate the race? Yes probably. Just because he's so much in control, his team is in control and they understand their car very much.
But on a track like this it could just as much be that another car might be better than the RB...
ok probably not because the RB has such an efficient aero packeage, which I think will be key here with both the high speeds and dense air, but I expect most teams to come with a custom aero packeage for this race.

FTFY

[Jbrown7403]

This will definitely be a record and watch in bed on Sunday morning race for me.

Another interesting video from a Vegas local (good channel for Vegas content)
.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by M3WC

Low 40f at race start. Pirelli is bringing three softest tire compounds.

The new asphalt is smooth. Combined with very cold temps, generating energy in tires will be difficult.

I know Merc has had trouble earlier in season getting temp into the tires for quali runs. Sometimes doing two warmup laps. I saw a quote from Albon saying some teams might have to do 3 to 4 prep laps.

40°F is 4-5°Celsius . Wel mate , I fear the worst .