1. It’s going to be cold
Las Vegas was baking in 40+ degree heat back in the middle of summer, but it is very different on late nights in November. Temperatures plummet when the sun goes down and the low grip levels will suit those who can warm their tyres up quickest. McLaren is one of those, and the odds of Lando Norris topping qualifying are at 10/1, while Oscar Piastri is 33/1 – which could be worth a shot.
Qualifying will start at midnight and the lights going out to start the race at 10pm – F1’s latest ever start – it could be down to single figures. F1 cars barely ever run in these conditions and while Pirelli is bringing its three softest tyre options, drivers could still be slip sliding around for several laps before they get their tyres up to temperature.
2. Will it be Back to Baku?
This track has lots of long straights and slow corners and there are very few fast, flowing sections that need high-speed downforce. A Max Verstappen win is at 1/4, while the most likely driver to stop him, according to the odds, is Lando Norris – at a good value 9/1.
The track should suit cars that went well in Baku – but two factors suggest that basing predictions on that race is risky. Firstly, that race was a long time ago in F1 development terms and secondly it was run in much higher temperatures. That said, the fundamentals still apply – so although Red Bull has excellent top-end speed, there is a chance their big high-speed cornering advantage will be nullified slightly this weekend.
3. All eyes on the paddock roof
F1’s owners have spent hundreds of millions of dollars on a bespoke pit building – and they have topped it off with a giant F1 logo topped by a 2,600m2 video screen. The chances of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez both flying past it to celebration fireworks with a double podium for Red Bull are a bet-boosted 9/4.
The pit complex also has bright LED lights running the entire length of the building so a post-race light show is guaranteed, but knowing Vegas they could also be used to add drama through the race.
Source: Autosport