Ross Brawn recently shared insights on the unique challenges faced during the design of the track. Speaking on TalkSPORT, Brawn acknowledged a crucial factor that was initially overlooked.
Formula 1’s return to Nevada after a hiatus since 1982 has stirred considerable excitement within the racing community. The iconic Caesars Palace Grand Prix witnessed races won by Australian Alan Jones and Italian Michele Alboreto in 1981 and 1982, respectively. Now, another driver is poised to join this prestigious list.
The upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix track promises to be unlike any Formula 1 has encountered in recent times, sparking a mix of anticipation and trepidation among the drivers. The primary reason behind this unease is the unique temperature challenge posed by the circuit during the race.
Ross Brawn conceded that the team did not initially consider the impact of low temperatures when designing the Las Vegas circuit. The race, scheduled for Saturday night local time, adds a touch of pageantry to the desert setting. Despite the inconvenience for UK viewers due to the early start, the spectacle is deemed worthy of setting the alarm clock.
Addressing the potential challenge of low temperatures, Brawn stated, “The one thing we hadn’t considered initially, but the tyre company have dealt with, is it gets very, very cold at night. So, when the race is happening which is Saturday night, it has been known to drop down to three or four degrees.”
Brawn acknowledged the efforts of tyre companies in ensuring the tires can cope with the extreme temperatures. He expressed confidence in overcoming this new challenge, stating, “We’re definitely facing some new challenges which we’ve never had before, but I think it’ll be spectacular.”
Formula 1 teams are accustomed to tackling serious challenges every weekend, and the Las Vegas Grand Prix will be no exception. Despite the unforeseen freezing temperatures in Las Vegas, Brawn, a seasoned figure in the Formula 1 realm, remains optimistic that it won’t pose a significant issue.
The challenge lies in the fact that tires lose the most temperature down long straights, and the 1.9km straight in Las Vegas could potentially cause issues. The absence of many high-speed corners on this track adds an additional layer of complexity.
As teams gear up for this unprecedented event, the uncertainty introduced by the weather conditions in Las Vegas might present an opportunity for contenders like McLaren and Mercedes to challenge the dominance of the Red Bull team. The Las Vegas Grand Prix is poised to deliver a spectacle that not only tests the skills of the drivers but also pushes the boundaries of Formula 1 as a whole.