The Night Race on the Strip and the Cold War

The Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix 2025 arrives for Round 22 of the season, which is scheduled for November 20th–22nd. The event, more than a race, is a global showpiece that will transform the famous Strip into a high-speed, 6.201 km circuit. This event's late-night timing and high-speed layout create an environment for extreme performance and volatility.

This will be one of the critical fixtures in the championship, as only two races are left after Vegas. The close fight between Lando Norris, who is first, and Oscar Piastri, who is second, really has a new threat in the form of Max Verstappen in third position. So, every single point gained or lost because of a spin on cold asphalt will directly influence the fate of the World Championship.

Race Weekend Schedule

This makes the Las Vegas schedule somewhat peculiar, as it tries to maximize the spectacle of a night race, running deep into UTC time. The Grand Prix itself takes place on Saturday night, local time.

Circuit Information: Las Vegas Strip Circuit

The Las Vegas Strip Circuit is a high-speed, 6.201 km street course, making it the second-longest on the F1 calendar, after Spa-Francorchamps. The layout includes 17 corners and winds past iconic locations like Caesars Palace and the Bellagio.

Image Source: formula1.com

Key Circuit Characteristics and Statistics

• Circuit Length: 6.201 km (3.853 mi)
• Number of Laps: 50
• Race Distance: 309.958 km (192.599 miles)
• Turns: 17
• Fastest Lap: 1:34.876 (Lando Norris, 2024)
• Full Throttle: Drivers are at full throttle for around 78% of the lap distance, which is one of the highest percentages of the season.
• Top Speed: Approaching 355.9 km/h - 221.15 mph, whereby in 2024, Alex Albon ran a top speed of 229.28 mph - 368 km/h.
• Overtakes: 181 overtakes in the inaugural 2023 race make it one of the most action-packed races this season.

The Cold Track Factor: A Strategic Nightmare

The biggest strategic challenge is managing performance in cold desert night air, with temperatures forecast to be around 12°C (54°F) at the start and able to drop into single digits Celsius.

• Tire Performance: Temperatures well out of the tire's optimal window really reduce performance. The long straights cool the tires and brakes, making heat generation difficult. Pirelli brings its softest compounds (C3, C4, C5) to combat the low grip.
• Braking Risk: Brakes, which need a temperature of 500°C to 600°C to be fully effective, get too cold on the long Strip section, reducing stopping power when most required. This is an important factor that increases the risk of collisions and spins.
• Safety Car Chaos: A Safety Car period causes tires to lose temperature and grip quickly. Restarts are messy, and the risk of cold graining where the cold rubber tears away and rapidly degrade tire life is dramatically increased. The race has a history of multiple Safety Car deployments and penalties.

History & Heritage

• Original Vegas: The first F1 races in Las Vegas took place in 1981 and 1982 under the name Caesars Palace Grand Prix, organized on a track set within a car park.
• The Modern Debut: The current 6.2km Strip Circuit debuted in 2023.
• Previous Winners: Max Verstappen won the inaugural modern race in 2023. George Russell won the 2024 race.

Key Storylines & Championship Stakes

The championship is reaching its crescendo, and all positions are critical in Las Vegas.

The Title Decider: World Championship leader Lando Norris, on 390 points, still enjoys a 24-point lead over his teammate Oscar Piastri, stuck on 366. Norris needs a faultless, penalty-free weekend to hold onto the top spot, with Piastri desperate for a podium to snap his five-race drought.

Motivation for Verstappen: Max Verstappen, with 341 points, is behind Norris by 49 points. The equation is simple, as he needs a big points swing in Las Vegas, or the title fight will mathematically end. He's after history, seeking to become the first driver to win from 11 different grid slots.

Midfield Battle: The fights in the midfield for high prize money positions are incredibly tight; the gap between the fifth and tenth-placed constructors is minimal. Every point gained by teams like Williams, Aston Martin, and Haas translates to millions in prize money.

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Las Vegas Grand Prix Race Winner Odds (Top 6)

Las Vegas Grand Prix Race Winning Constructor Odds (Top 6)

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Prediction of the Las Vegas Grand Prix

Strategy Dependence

The 2024 race featured 38 pit stops, up from 31 the previous year, underlining that tire strategy is crucial. Most drivers went for a two-stop strategy as the medium tires faded quickly. With a high probability of a Safety Car, any pre-race strategy is often discarded for reactive decisions. The key for technicians will be running the smallest brake ducts possible to conserve heat for the tires.

Winner Pick

While Lando Norris may be in control of the championship, the psychological and technical advantage at this unique venue lies with Max Verstappen. This low-downforce setup, high-speed sections, and high-penalty environment all play into Verstappen's historical ability to perform flawlessly under pressure.

• Prediction: Max Verstappen is likely to win because he has a fast car and knows how to drive in low-grip conditions. He will be able to keep the McLarens at bay and extend the championship fight into the last two rounds.

Max Verstappen is likely to win because he has a fast car and knows how to drive in low-grip conditions. He will be able to keep the McLarens at bay and extend the championship fight into the last two rounds.