Lando Norris Warns of 'Hell of a Challenge' if Las Vegas GP Sees Rain
Lando Norris has warned that the Las Vegas Grand Prix could become a "hell of a challenge" if rain hits, citing the unique combination of cold temperatures, a street circuit with limited run-off, and slippery painted surfaces. McLaren has historically struggled in cooler conditions in Vegas, making this a significant concern for the team and drivers. While rain is not expected for the main sessions, any wet weather could lead to perilous track conditions that do not dry quickly, potentially making the race incredibly treacherous.
Lando Norris has sounded the alarm about the "pretty nasty" and "pretty insane" challenge that awaits F1 drivers at the Las Vegas Grand Prix if wet weather impacts on-track action. While rain isn't expected for every session, there's a 40% risk of inclement conditions at various points. With cool temperatures and no sunlight to dry the track surface in the evening, drivers could face perilous conditions.
Why it matters:
The Las Vegas Grand Prix, already a unique night race on a street circuit, could become an even more unpredictable spectacle if rain materializes. McLaren, in particular, has historically struggled in cool conditions in Sin City, making Norris's warning especially pertinent. For drivers, navigating a high-speed street circuit with limited run-off in wet, cold conditions would present a significant test of skill and car control, potentially shaking up the competitive order.
The Details:
- Cold Temperatures: Norris highlighted the cold as the "biggest thing," noting that low temperatures, similar to previous years, would make tire graining difficult to manage.
- Rain Forecast: While he mentioned a forecast for rain on Thursday and possibly into Friday for FP3, Norris believes qualifying and the race itself should be dry, suggesting the primary impact might be on practice sessions.
- McLaren's Vegas Struggles: McLaren has faced difficulties in Las Vegas since its return to the calendar in 2023. Their cars tend to be easy on tires, which is usually an advantage, but this characteristic has not performed well in the cool track conditions of the Las Vegas circuit.
- Treacherous Conditions in Rain: Norris emphasized that a wet track would be "incredibly difficult" and "pretty nasty." The combination of a street circuit with little room for error, white lines, and painted surfaces (which become extremely slippery when wet) would amplify the challenge.
- Temperature Impact on Drying: He also pointed out that if it rains, the low temperatures would mean the track wouldn't dry quickly, prolonging the hazardous conditions.
What's next:
Despite the potential for a "pretty insane challenge" if it rains, Norris expressed excitement for both dry and wet conditions, though he admitted he would prefer a dry race. Teams will be closely monitoring the weather forecast and preparing contingency plans for different scenarios, especially given the unique challenges of a cold, night-time street circuit. The conditions during free practice will be crucial for understanding tire behavior and car setup ahead of qualifying and the race.