Hamilton, Leclerc, Piastri Absent from Las Vegas GP Pre-Race Press Conference

Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, and Oscar Piastri will not be featured in the official FIA press conference ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix. This notable absence from the scheduled media sessions means fans won't hear from these prominent drivers during the traditional pre-race Q&A. The focus will instead be on other key figures as the F1 paddock gears up for the 6.2km street circuit action.

Why it matters:

The absence of three of F1's most popular and impactful drivers from the official press conference could shift media attention and fan engagement. Hamilton is a seven-time world champion and a perennial headline-maker; Leclerc is a fan favorite and a key figure for Ferrari; and Piastri is a rising star who is currently second in the championship standings. Their non-attendance means no direct soundbites or insights from them regarding the crucial Las Vegas race weekend, potentially leaving a void in the pre-race narrative.

The details:

• Driver Schedule: The FIA has released the list of drivers scheduled to attend the official press conference on Wednesday, November 19th.
  • First Group (17:30 local time): Franco Colapinto (Alpine), Esteban Ocon (Haas), and Lando Norris (McLaren).
  • Second Group (18:00 local time): Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), George Russell (Mercedes), and Max Verstappen (Red Bull).
• Other Media Sessions: The remaining drivers not included in these official groups will still interact with media present at the circuit, albeit in less structured formats.
• Team Representatives: On Thursday, at 18:30 Las Vegas time, team representatives Andy Stevenson (Aston Martin), Simone Resta (Mercedes), and Paul Monaghan (Red Bull) will face the media alongside FIA Single-Seater Director Nikolas Tombazis.

The big picture:

The Las Vegas Grand Prix marks the first event in a season-ending triple-header, followed by races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. The championship battle is heating up, with Lando Norris currently leading Oscar Piastri by 24 points, and Max Verstappen 49 points behind Norris. Every point and every statement from the drivers holds significant weight in this critical phase of the season. The Las Vegas Street Circuit, known for its unique challenges and high-speed sections, is expected to deliver an unpredictable race.

What's next:

Despite the notable absences from the official conference, the Las Vegas GP weekend is set to be action-packed. With FP1 scheduled to begin shortly after the team principal conference on Thursday, the focus will quickly shift to on-track performance. All eyes will be on Norris, Piastri, and Verstappen as they battle for championship points, and on how other teams adapt to the unique demands of the Las Vegas Street Circuit. The weather forecast also includes a flood watch for the Las Vegas Valley, which could add another layer of complexity to the race weekend.