Aditya ChaudhuriAfter a thrilling weekend in Brazil, Formula One heads to unknown territory as we gear up for the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix.
While Vegas brings with it a lot of glitz and glamour, expect intense on-track action as we head for a late-night street race under the lights.
Here are our predictions for the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Salvation time
It has been another season to forget for Ferrari. With only two races left in the season, they have stood on the top step of the podium just once.
While it was pretty clear from winter testing that Red Bull would be untouchable, Ferrari had a strong car to hold on to second place in the Constructors’ Standings. However, reliability and driver issues see them lie third, 20 points behind Mercedes. Ferrari have had both their cars finish a race only once in the last four Grands Prix.
One thing that Ferrari can actually look forward to heading into the inaugural Las Vegas GP, though, is that it is a street race. The Scuderia have been strong at street circuits this season — Charles Leclerc took pole and finished third in Azerbaijan, while it was a win for Carlos Sainz in Singapore and a strong haul of points in Miami.
While it will be a level playing field for all, heading into unknown territory, the street track should favour Ferrari. Expect them to fare well in Las Vegas.
Dark Horses: Ferrari
The Lion is roaring again
Back-to-back retirements, not having been on the podium since the Netherlands, and a car seemingly going backwards with every upgrade: things had not been going well at Aston Martin, especially for two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso, who had started the season in the most tremendous way, taking six podiums in the opening eight races.
Aston Martin ditched the upgrades and reverted back to the old set-up in Brazil, which saw their drivers qualify third and fourth, with Alonso producing one of the all-time great defensive masterclass drives to return to the podium.
With the fire within the 42-year-old reignited once again, expect Alonso to be at his best in Vegas. If Aston Martin manage to maintain the same consistency levels, Formula One’s most experienced driver should have no problem doing well at its newest track.
New ground, new records
The 2023 season will easily go down as one of the most historic ones. The Red Bull and Max Verstappen domination has been unmatched, and it is unlikely anyone will come close to replicating or beating it anytime soon.
Verstappen, having already secured his third consecutive Drivers’ Title, has won an incredible 17 races this season, the most by any driver in any Formula One season. The Dutchman also has the highest win percentage in a season (85%), breaking Alberto Ascari’s record of 75%. Even if he doesn’t win the final two races of the season, his win percentage will remain an incredible 77.2%.
There has been absolutely no stopping Verstappen this year, and while Vegas is unknown territory for everyone, expect him to stamp his authority there all the same.
Pole Prediction: Max Verstappen / Charles Leclerc
Win Prediction: Red Bull / Ferrari
Race details
- Circuit: Las Vegas Strip Circuit
- Venue: Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
- Practice Session 1 time: 10:00, November 17
- Practice Session 2 time: 13:30, November 17
- Practice Session 3 time: 10:00, November 18
- Qualifying time: 13:30, November 18
- Main race time: 11:00, November 19
- Where to watch: F1 TV Pro
