Motor Racing
2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix Preview
The Formula 1 season continues after a couple of weeks off following the Brazilian Grand Prix which saw Max Verstappen return to the top of the podium having gone 10 races in a row without a win.
With the end of the 2024 season in sight, there are just three races to go which will decide both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships. The first of the triple header sees the drivers head to the bright lights of Las Vegas and race around the Strip Circuit.
We could see Max Verstappen crowned as a four-time World Champion having significantly dented Lando Norris’ hopes of catching up in Brazil, with a sensational comeback from 17th on the grid.
Bet on the Las Vegas Grand Prix with William Hill
Las Vegas Strip Circuit overview
This Grand Prix was added to the calendar last year and surprisingly put on a very good race despite the glitz and glamour of the surroundings, with a very long straight perfect for overtaking.
The race takes place at night which can see extremely cold temperatures become a huge factor in the race strategy. As things stand, the current forecast looks a chilly 10 degrees Celsius which would make it the coldest race of the year, and in turn require some foresight from the teams on managing tyre temperature, which will be a pivotal factor in this Grand Prix.
Alongside the long straights, there lie some very slow, tight corners which is where time will either be made or lost. Last year, most of the teams opted for medium tyres, employing a one-stop strategy, with a total of 31 total pit stops.
Main teams to look out for
Mercedes
It was a mixed bag for Mercedes in Brazil, with Lewis Hamilton looking to really disagree with his car as it bounced around making it very hard to handle, and teammate George Russell having a similar issue. That said, the latter was able to handle it a little bit better and managed an impressive fourth to stay ahead of Charles Leclerc.
Russell is 6/1 for a Podium Finish in Las Vegas, with Hamilton trailing at 7/1 for the same outcome.
McLaren
Lando Norris had a good race in Brazil until the safety car incident which was a disappointing way to end a good Championship run for him this season. McLaren still have their feet firmly planted in the Constructors’ Championship though, so we can still expect a decent showing from both drivers in Las Vegas this weekend.
Should they wrap up the Constructors’ this season, it’ll be a first win for the team in this category since 1998. Norris leads the market alongside Leclerc at 5/2 to win the race and given the car should suit the circuit, this could be a good price.
Ferrari
The drier conditions looked to suit Ferrari a lot more than the wet did in Brazil and Charles Leclerc had a significantly better race than teammate Carlos Sainz, who failed to finish and ended up out of the points.
It has to be said though, the Las Vegas circuit could be a very strong track for the Ferrari car hence Leclerc’s joint-favourite status at the top of the market to win the race at 5/2.
Red Bull
Faith in their car was finally restored when Verstappen delivered one of the drives of the season, clawing back a 17-place deficit after the lights went out. Red Bull have been making steady gains on their rivals, despite the lack of Grand Prix wins compared to last season, and the Drivers’ Championship looks to be Verstappen’s for the taking this weekend.
Verstappen is 1/2 for a podium finish with more attractive odds of 5/2 to put the race to bed and top the podium.
