Verstappen Unsure of Red Bull's Las Vegas GP Pace

Max Verstappen expressed uncertainty about Red Bull's race pace for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, citing a weekend of mixed conditions and limited long-run data. Despite qualifying P2, the Dutchman acknowledged the lack of representative dry running makes Sunday's race an 'unknown quantity.'

Why it matters:

Red Bull's dominant performance has been a hallmark of recent F1 seasons, making any uncertainty from Verstappen a notable development. With Lando Norris starting on pole and looking to extend his championship lead, Red Bull's ability to adapt to race conditions without extensive prior data will be crucial for the title fight in Las Vegas.

The Details:

• Verstappen will start P2, behind McLaren's Lando Norris, who secured his third consecutive pole position.
• Limited Dry Running: Both FP3 and qualifying were affected by rain, meaning teams had very little opportunity to gather data on dry long-run pace.
• Verstappen's Concerns: He stated, "It's a bit difficult to say. We didn’t really do any proper long running. In FP1 I did a little bit, which was not entirely to my liking." He hopes changes made since then will improve performance but isn't expecting it to be "amazing."
• Weather Forecast: Dry weather is anticipated for Saturday night's race, which will be held under the lights of Las Vegas.
• Tyre Usage: The extreme wet tyres made a rare appearance during the rain-affected qualifying session.

The big picture:

The Las Vegas Grand Prix represents a pivotal moment in the championship. While Verstappen has been a dominant force, the unique challenges of the Las Vegas track, combined with the unpredictable weather leading up to the race, could create an opportunity for rivals like Norris. The absence of solid dry-weather long-run data for all teams means race strategy and real-time adaptation will be more critical than usual.

What's next:

Lando Norris will lead the pack from pole, aiming to extend his 24-point championship lead over teammate Oscar Piastri (starting P5). Should Norris outscore Verstappen by 10 points or more, Verstappen would be mathematically eliminated from this year's title contention. All eyes will be on how Red Bull's setup changes translate to actual race pace under dry conditions, and whether Verstappen can overcome his initial doubts to challenge for the win.