Tyre preview for the Las Vegas Grand Prix
This weekend sees Formula 1 racing in Las Vegas for a fourth time, and with warm-up expected to pose a challenge due to the low temperatures, Pirelli has brought its three softest compounds to the third US race of the season.
After two events run on a track built up around Caesars Palace in 1981 and 1982, last year Grand Prix racing found a new home in the entertainment capital of the world, with the track using part of the famous Strip from which it takes its name.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix is the third round this year to be held in the United States, following on from Miami and Austin. After the 7.004 kilometre-long Spa-Francorchamps circuit, the Nevadan track is the second longest on the calendar at 6.201 kilometres. It features 17 corners, tackled over 50 times in the race. It is a high speed venue, with three straights and top speeds that hit 350 km/h last year, with several overtaking opportunities, especially at turn 14.
As has become the norm for street circuits, Pirelli has selected the three softest compounds in the race, namely the C3 as Hard, the C4 as Medium and the C5 as Soft, as was the case in 2023.
The Milan-based tyre supplier noted in its preview: "The main challenge on the tyre front will be warm-up, especially during qualifying and for the front axle in particular.
"Drivers will have to be careful to bring the tyres up to temperature without overworking them, avoiding any lock-ups at the heaviest braking points, particularly at the end of the longest straights, along which the tyres will suffer a further reduction in surface temperature. Furthermore, low temperatures lead to a reduction in grip and that can cause increased graining."
As for the strategy, the two-stop strategy looks the quickst option at Las Vegas, albeit a one-stop could also be viable. Last year saw drivers favour the two-stop strategy because of the low temperatures-induced graining process. In 2023, Max Verstappen won, first past the chequered flag ahead of Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez. Medium and Hard were the compounds used in the race, the yellow-banded tyre favoured by the majority of drivers on the starting grid.
However, those who can managed the tyres at the start of the stint and gradually bring them up to temperature, can strive for a single-stop strategy.
Interestingly, because of the difficulty in warm-up, "pitting early to try and make up places with an undercut is not very efficient and in fact, on paper, going longer is a better choice."
As always on a street circuit, red flags and Safety Cars are a strong probability with all the unknowns that can bring, including at the restart in terms of tyre temperature management.
