F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix 2025: Drivers Discuss Race Expectations, Championship Battles & More

A pre-race press conference in Las Vegas ahead of the 2025 Grand Prix featured F1 stars Lando Norris, Esteban Ocon, Franco Colapinto, George Russell, Fernando Alonso, and Max Verstappen, offering insights into their performance, championship prospects, and the unique challenges of racing in Vegas.

Why it matters:

The upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix is poised to be a pivotal race in the F1 season. With Lando Norris leading the championship, the pressure is on, and the unique conditions of the Las Vegas street circuit—cold temperatures, low grip, and potential rain—add layers of unpredictability. Drivers' insights reveal how the track's challenges could influence the championship outcome and highlight the ongoing strategic battles within and between teams.

The Details:

• Lando Norris's Milestone and Championship Lead: Norris celebrates his 150th F1 race, all with McLaren, and currently leads the world championship by 24 points. He emphasizes a "one race at a time" approach despite his strong position, aiming to win every session.
  • Norris expressed caution about McLaren's performance in Vegas, recalling past struggles but acknowledging the team's significant improvements in areas they previously struggled. He believes the team learned crucial lessons from their poor performance in Vegas last year, which could offer a direction for improvement this year.
• Alpine's Cautious Optimism: Franco Colapinto noted an improved car pace for Alpine in Brazil, providing a morale boost. He acknowledges the unique and tricky tarmac of the Las Vegas track but hopes to challenge for points, drawing confidence from Pierre Gasly's strong performance there in 2024.
• Haas's Strong Form: Esteban Ocon highlighted Haas's improved form since upgrades introduced in Austin, leading to good points for the team. He has positive memories from Vegas, finishing fourth two years ago, and sees opportunities due to the track's challenging conditions, particularly Turn 1 and potential rain.
• Mercedes' Vegas Hopes: George Russell, last year's winner in Vegas, recognizes that past success doesn't guarantee future results. He notes that while Mercedes' 2024 car was strong in cooler conditions, their 2025 car is a better all-rounder across various circuits, potentially sacrificing some competitive edge in specific conditions. Mercedes is currently 32 points ahead of Red Bull in the Constructors' Championship, aiming to secure P2 and potentially another win.
• Aston Martin's Tight Battle: Fernando Alonso acknowledges a tight fight in the Constructors' Championship, needing to focus on both Racing Bulls and the surging Haas team. He is wary of the graining issues experienced in Vegas last year and is preparing for potential rain.
• Max Verstappen's Title Outlook: Verstappen, 49 points behind Norris, considers himself an outsider for the title, stating he needs "a lot of luck." He praises his team's efforts in improving the car, particularly after the summer break, and focuses on having strong individual weekends.
• Weather Impact: All drivers anticipate cold conditions in Vegas, leading to potential issues with tire graining. Rain is forecast for Thursday and Friday, which could make the street circuit incredibly challenging due to low grip, white lines, and potentially poor visibility under lights.

What's next:

Drivers are bracing for a challenging Las Vegas Grand Prix, with a strong emphasis on adapting to the cold weather and potential rain. The championship battle remains a key focus, especially for Lando Norris as he seeks to maintain his lead. The insights from the press conference suggest that strategic driving, tire management, and capitalizing on opportunities will be crucial factors in determining the race outcome and influencing the final stages of the F1 season.