Soft compounds for the final rounds in Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi
With the 2023 F1 season reaching its end, Formula One's sole tyre supplier Pirelli has announced the tyre selection for the season-closing Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix.
Following the Sao Paulo round when tyre degradation played a major factor, the last two grands prix of the 2023 F1 season are expected to be generous to tyres. That is why the Las Vegas and the Abu Dhabi F1 rounds will see the softest selection of Pirelli's six compounds on track, meaning that teams will use the C3 as P Zero White hard, C4 as P Zero Yellow medium and C5 as P Zero Red soft.
Formula 1 returns to Las Vegas for the first time in 41 years, on an all-new 6.201 kilometre-track that showcases some of the most iconic spots on the iconic Strip: including the Bellagio, Venetian and Caesar’s Palace hotels. Caesar’s Palace was the site of the only two grands prix held in Las Vegas so far: the last race of both the 1981 and 1982 seasons.
The third Grand Prix to be held this year in the USA is a real unknown. The teams have no real reference and will have to rely on simulations to define a base set-up, which will be developed during the weekend. Another unknown factor will be the temperatures, as all sessions will take place after sunset. The first two free practice sessions are scheduled for Thursday evening (20:30) and the middle of the night between Thursday and Friday (00:00-01:00). FP3 and qualifying will take place at the same times on Friday, with the race starting at 22:00 on Saturday night.
Then it's back to the Middle East for the now classic season-ender. The Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi has hosted a grand prix since 2009 and has been the final race on the calendar 12 times. The asphalt is not very abrasive and the layout is not particularly demanding on the tyres, which are subjected to fairly balanced longitudinal and lateral forces between front and rear. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will be followed by a day of testing for all the teams on Tuesday after the race.
