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F1 Today: Piastri Sidelined in Abu Dhabi; Las Vegas on Flood Watch
Oscar Piastri will miss a practice session at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to fulfill F1's rookie session mandate, potentially impacting his championship fight with Lando Norris. Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Grand Prix faces a flood watch due to heavy rain, adding an unpredictable element to the upcoming race weekend, though conditions are expected to improve later on. These developments highlight crucial challenges for both McLaren and the Las Vegas event.
The F1 news cycle delivered a couple of significant updates today, November 19th. Oscar Piastri will sit out a practice session in Abu Dhabi, while heavy rain has triggered a flood watch in Las Vegas ahead of the Grand Prix.
Why it matters:
- Piastri's Sidelining: This move, necessitated by F1's rookie practice session rule, puts Piastri at a slight disadvantage in his championship battle against teammate Lando Norris. With crucial points on the line, missing a practice session for set-up work is far from ideal, especially in the tight midfield battle.
- Las Vegas Weather: The Las Vegas Grand Prix is one of the most anticipated new events on the calendar, and any weather disruption could impact the spectacle, fan experience, and on-track action. Rain in a desert city is unusual and adds an unpredictable element to an already unknown street circuit.
The Details:
- Piastri's Mandatory Rookie Session: F1 regulations mandate that every driver who has competed in more than two Grands Prix must cede their car to a rookie driver for two Free Practice 1 (FP1) sessions during the season. Piastri has only completed one such session.
- Abu Dhabi Decision: With Piastri confirmed for FP1 in Las Vegas and the Qatar GP being a sprint weekend (with only one practice session), the logical choice for his second mandatory rookie session is the final race in Abu Dhabi.
- Championship Implications: Piastri is currently 24 points behind Lando Norris in the drivers' championship. Missing an FP1 session means Norris will have more track time to fine-tune his MCL39 for the final race, potentially widening the points gap.
- Pato O'Ward: McLaren's IndyCar star Pato O'Ward is the likely candidate to take over Piastri's car in Abu Dhabi, gaining valuable F1 experience.
- Las Vegas Flood Watch: Heavy rainfall has prompted a flood watch across the Las Vegas Valley, expected to last until at least Wednesday. While the total precipitation might be below the November average for the region, the sudden influx poses a risk.
- Improved Conditions: The forecast indicates that conditions are expected to improve later in the weekend. However, early sessions of the Grand Prix could still see mild rain, potentially affecting track conditions and team strategies.
What's next:
- Piastri's Challenge: Piastri will need to maximize his track time in Las Vegas and the single practice session in Qatar to minimize the impact of missing FP1 in Abu Dhabi as he chases Norris in the championship. His ability to adapt quickly will be crucial.
- Las Vegas Preparations: Teams and organizers in Las Vegas will be closely monitoring the weather, preparing for potential wet conditions during the initial practice sessions. Any unexpected rain could lead to a chaotic start to the inaugural Grand Prix weekend in the city. Fans should also prepare for variable weather.