Formula 1’s return to the American desert, a first in more than four decades, offered up-close racing and myriad of overtakes, proving that the F1 circus and the accompanying spectacle of Las Vegas were made for each other. As the circus sets up in Sin City once again this week, teams up and down the grid won’t be leaving things up to Lady Luck for the race. They’re armed with intel and prepared for any roll of the dice Vegas has to give, including its cold, desert nights.
“Last year was the first year in Las Vegas, so the teams and drivers [now] have data and experience, which means they will start the weekend in a more familiar place,” explains Ciaron Pilbeam, technical director of performance at the Alpine F1 Team. Teams went into the latest iteration of the Las Vegas Grand Prix blind, and had to get to grips with the new track surface and cool evening temperatures on the fly.
