Formula 1's return to the American desert after more than four decades brought with it an exhilarating display of up-close racing and a plethora of overtakes. It became evident that the F1 circus and the spectacular allure of Las Vegas were a perfect match. As the circus once again sets up its tents in Sin City this week, teams across the grid are not leaving their fortunes to chance. They are armed with valuable intelligence and well-prepared to handle any unexpected twists that Las Vegas has in store, including its cold and desert nights.

Unleashing the Power of Data and Preparation in the Vegas Desert

Data and Experience: A Key to Success

Last year marked the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix, providing teams and drivers with crucial data and experience. This year, they enter the weekend with a more familiar footing. As Ciaron Pilbeam, technical director of performance at the Alpine F1 Team, explains, "Having data from last year allows teams to better understand the track and make more informed decisions. It gives them a head start in preparing for the race." Teams went into the latest iteration of the Las Vegas Grand Prix without prior knowledge and had to quickly adapt to the new track surface and cool evening temperatures.The whole paddock is now armed with terabytes of data on lap times, tire wear, and engine performance. This data holds the key to taking home the top prize as they contend with the unchanged evening conditions, which are expected to average around 14°C (57°F). In particular, Pilbeam emphasizes the importance of understanding the degradation and performance of the Pirelli tires in the low nighttime temperatures and unique layout of the Las Vegas track.

Tire Degradation and Strategy

Getting caught out on the track and struggling to keep the soft Pirelli rubber within the right operating window can lead to reduced grip and an increased risk of graining on the tire surface, further compromising performance. However, the data collected during the 2023 race is helping strategists better understand the behavior of the Pirelli compounds for this year's race. It has also assisted Pirelli in making its 2024 tire selection, offering its softest C3, C4, and C5 compounds to counter some of the grip lost in the cooler night race conditions.During qualifying, teams may need to run an additional warm-up lap to combat the cooler temperatures. The long straights on the Vegas circuit pose a challenge for drivers to maintain tire temperature within the optimal range. Limited areas like hard braking zones add vital temperature back into the tires, leading to unpredictability in strategies and pit stop windows.

Cooling and Power Unit Performance

While the ambient temperature hovering around 15°C (59°F) at last year's race caused concerns for tire technicians and strategists, engineers monitoring the power units were less affected. "Cold temperatures are generally better for performance as they aid in cooling, allowing for more power unit performance," says Sven Smeets, sporting director at Williams.During other races on the 2024 calendar, overheating engines have been a significant challenge when cars are closely following one another. To address this, teams add louvres over the engine bay to enhance cooling, a practice seen in F1's other night race in Singapore, where the ambient temperature during the weekend was 29°C (84°F). In Las Vegas, such bodywork changes are not required, resulting in less disruption to the airflow over the car's bodywork and potentially improving performance.

Aerodynamic Adjustments for Vegas

When the cars roll out for Free Practice 1, noticeable changes in aerodynamics will be evident. To tackle the 3.85-mile circuit in the heart of Sin City with its 17 corners and long straights, teams will likely run low-downforce packages featuring wing levels similar to those seen at Spa or Monza. Riccardo Musconi, head of trackside performance at Mercedes, explains that these adjustments are necessary to optimize performance in the unique Vegas environment.When the cars hit the corners in Las Vegas, there may be less grip, and they can "slide around more than usual," according to Pilbeam. This emphasizes the need for teams to carefully manage their setups and driving styles to make the most of the track conditions.

Dealing with Challenging Conditions

Think back to the 2020 Eifel Grand Prix in Germany when temperatures dropped to 7°C (44°F). Cars were sliding all over the cold and damp track, struggling for grip. These slides can be especially dangerous on a street track like Vegas, where tight corners, limited run-off areas, and harsh walls pose a significant risk."The barriers are close, and the likelihood of a red flag in practice and qualifying or a safety car in the race is high," Pilbeam warns. Teams need to be vigilant and ready to react quickly to any unexpected situations. If the safety car is deployed or a red flag disrupts qualifying, as seen in Brazil just a few weeks ago, race fans can expect an exciting show in Vegas this weekend.