F1 coming to Vegas !

[Southwest Dave]

The drivers are looking for grip in the first free practice, with many finding it difficult and going beyond the limit.(The only way to find the limit, right!?)

On another note, I have seen reports of disgruntled business owners who are again suffering losses due to road closures and diversions. After last year, you would have thought the organisers would have sorted this out before the event, especially considering the vast sums of money F1 generates.

[Mark Sedenquist]

Dave,

I think at least one of the problems (with tire grip) is the air temperature--race conditions temps will be 18 degrees Celsius dropping to 16 degrees (or maybe lower with the expected wind chill.) The first full access to the track doesn't happen until tonight. So, we will see.

I really think the grumbling is strategic blathering at this point. The race organizers worked hard to minimize the effect on local businesses and also made money-making options more obvious for local firms.

Mark

[UKCraig]

I wish it had been 16-18 degrees when we were there in the summer :) Mark, I don't know how you live with it. I love it in Death Valley or Joshua Tree but when it is mid 40s in a glass and concrete jungle it's not so nice!

Looking forward to seeing this race. Now the Lando thing seems to be over it will be great to see him released from the pressure - and Oscar released from TOs - hopefully it is a good race.

[Mark Sedenquist]

Mark, I don't know how you live with it. I love it in Death Valley or Joshua Tree but when it is mid 40s in a glass and concrete jungle it's not so nice!

I really like the heat. Not as thrilled with cold weather -- but the contrast is nice.

I look forward to seeing the race too--on TV.

Mark

[UKCraig]

I was working outside this morning. Minus 3. Not terrible but certainly some difference from three months ago when we were enjoying 50 degrees in DV. I can certainly agree that the cold sucks.

Just been watching the practice session. Interesting if the race started in that order...

[Mark Sedenquist]

50 degrees C -- is a tad warm.

I watched Q2 and Q3 last night (on TV.) Track looks great at night. I worry that it's just too slippery for the drivers.

It is windy here now in Vegas -- that can't be good for tonight's race.

Should be a fun spectacle.

Mark

[Mark Sedenquist]

Video taken on November 11th of the back straight-away. We were cruising at warp speeds approaching 22 mph -- by comparison, the F1-race cars will be zipping along this stretch at speeds approaching 225 mph. And, of course, it will be at night and the lights will be on.



Give you a good idea of what it can look like

[Southwest Dave]

I see that the wind could be a bit gusty tonight according to the forecast. With so much performance coming from the aerodynamics, the drivers really don't like these conditions. Race temps around 18C will also cause them issues, and if a bit of desert dust blows on the circuit, grip levels could get even more interesting! (I had to smile when Mark mentioned 18C and cold weather, I believe that was the UK'S average for August this year!)

A bad day at the office for Lewis Hamilton, it really looked like the 2 Mercs could of been on the front row! Perhaps trying to out qualify his team mate led him to try a little to hard. Great qualifying drive by Gasly, I'm not sure anyone would of expected him to be on the 2nd row!

Nice video Mark! It sure is a spectacular sight as they roar down the Strip under the lights! I understand that the bridge walk ways over the track have had metal panels put up so people can't view from there. Apparently last year they used plastic sheeting, but visitors started tearing at it to create peep holes.

Dave.

[Mark Sedenquist]

Yeah,

It was a nice race. Drivers handled the tricky surface and wind conditions with ease. And even got to see a superb two car overtake in the tricky corners by Sergio Perez, along with several other passes by several drivers.

And...now, it is time for bed for this Las Vegan!

Mark

[Southwest Dave]

Motorsport was the winner here! No track issues, red flags or Stewards having an affect on the result, just good clean racing with some good overtakes and slightly different strategies deciding the outcome. A classic Lewis Hamilton drive that saw him go from 10th on the grid to finishing 2nd on the podium. How he must regret his errors in Q3, victory could of surely been his! A smooth, professional drive from another Brit, George Russel, saw him cruise from Pole position to Victory, a 1-2 finish for Mercedes. The Ferraris finished strong to put pressure on McLaren for the Constructors title, and Max Verstappen finishing ahead of Lando Norris to be crowned World champion for the 4th time. All this under the bright lights of Vegas has really made this years race a big success in my opinion. The sight and sounds of the cars going down the Strip was amazing!

I'm sure there will be some partying going on in Vegas tonight!!

Dave