The cold in Las Vegas, this slight detail forgotten by F1 which could have serious consequences
The Las Vegas Grand Prix is expected to be held in winter temperatures not exceeding 10 degrees. Faced with this unprecedented challenge, and unforeseen by F1, the engineers are preparing as best as possible, like Pierre Waché (Red Bull).
“The only thing we didn't envisage at the start (…) is that it's very, very cold at night ,” Ross Brawn said in the TalkSport podcast . So, when the race takes place, that is to say on Saturday evening (in the United States, Sunday morning in France. Editor's note), we know that the temperature can drop to three or four degrees.
So it can get very cold and of course operating cars at these temperatures can become a challenge. »
We're definitely facing new challenges that we've never had before, but I think it's going to be a spectacular race.
The opinion of Pierre Waché, Red Bull Racing Technical Director
“The biggest challenge, in terms of temperatures, will be the tires. The temperatures will be cool, on a track where we don't put any energy into the tires, so that's a big challenge. »
Indeed, the Las Vegas circuit, 6.12 km long, is made up of 17 turns, but practically no sequence of curves. These usually allow single-seaters, in a lateral support situation, to heat up their tires more quickly.
This is what we call in technicians’ language “putting energy” into the tires.
“We do more simulation on this track than we have ever done on others. We try to put temperature in the tire without destroying the balance of the vehicle or degrading the tires, but it is very complicated, because we are a bit blind. We have little data, other than those related to the simulation. Because if we try to fully optimize the car, it will also slip and the driver will not be able to drive the way he wants. »
Cold weather
180° turn
Cold tyres........Nice
- I’m here rn and it looks sick tbh
- The drivers will be drifting out of the pitlane
- worst exit ive ever seen
.Mezger wrote: ↑11 Nov 2023, 15:32Everything will be a gamble here.
So... new circuit, cold Temps, that dumb pit lane exit, etc. This will result in a safety car at least once which will cause the tyres to lose more temp and then another frantic restart.
It's gonna be an interesting race for sure. Probably not great racing but this is what Liberty want.