Five talking points ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix

Verstappen could become champion

Following his breathtaking victory from 17^th on the grid in Brazil, Max Verstappen stands on the verge of clinching his fourth consecutive drivers’ world championship. Red Bull’s surprising mid-summer drop-off in form produced month of tension, as Lando Norris whittled away at Verstappen’s advantage, but the Dutchman is now 62 points ahead with 86 to play for across the final three races. So, what does Verstappen need to do to become champion this coming weekend?

The key will be to outscore his only title rival by three points. Obviously a win is the best way to wrap up any title, but without the mixed weather conditions that allowed him to shine at Interlagos that might be a tall order on Red Bull’s current form. Basically, if Verstappen finishes on the podium or in fourth, Norris must finish at least a place ahead of him to keep the title mathematically alive into Qatar. If Verstappen finishes in a points-paying position from fifth to tenth, Norris needs to finish at least two places ahead. In other words, the McLaren driver’s hopes hang by a thread.

The ideal outcome to reenergise the title fight would be a Norris win and a Verstappen no-score in Vegas. Last year, the inaugural race on this fast street circuit on the famous Strip actually lived up to the considerable build-up and included plenty of drama – so of course a twist is possible. Either way, F1 should have a highly marketable story from its most financially important weekend of the season.

Crowning its champion in Vegas would have a high value, but then, if the season suddenly pivots towards a surprise outcome and Vegas offers a dose of sensation that sets up a tense run-in at Qatar and Abu Dhabi, might that be even better? On the face of it, whatever happens to Verstappen and Norris this weekend, it should be win-win for F1.

Stakes for F1 remain high in Vegas

Naturally, the hype has been much less noticeable second time around as F1 heads back to Nevada. Nothing is ever quite as exciting as the first time, but make no mistake, now that it’s upon us the F1 marketing machine will once again shift into overdrive this week as every stakeholder – promoter, teams and sponsors – strives to squeeze every drop from a strong contender for one of the world’s glitziest and most visually spectacular sporting events.

Vegas represents a high-stakes bet for F1 and a new way of operating. Rather than relying on a third-part investor or government to stump up the millions it takes to run such a race, the financial strain has been taken by the sport itself. Liberty-owned F1 bought the real estate upon which the paddock is built and is running the show in a manner that, if successful, could introduce a new way of creating its races in other destinations.

There were teething troubles last year. Angry fans ejected from their seats as the event overran on the opening night was a terrible look, while a broken drain cover that trashed Carlos Sainz Jr.’s Ferrari caused angst within the teams. Then there was Verstappen and his trash talk, suggesting Monaco is the “Champions League” and Vegas a “National League.” But by the end of the Saturday night into Sunday morning grand prix, he had a big smile after claiming a hard-fought win.

This place is not to his taste, and many of us would sympathise with that. Verstappen will presumably be pleased at the news that Monaco has a new deal that will keep it on the calendar until at least 2031, and would probably be happy if the Vegas experiment fell flat. But on such a big calendar there’s room for both. With so much at stake, it’s in the interests of everyone, including the champion, if the Sin City gamble pays off.

New race director thrown in

Spare a thought for one key figure in Vegas this weekend: Rui Marques, the new race director, the person in charge of making sure the show runs on time and smoothly at his very first F1 event. What a place and time to make your debut.

The sudden departure last week of previous race director Niels Wittich is yet another sign of discord within the corridors of power at the FIA, under the rule of president Mohammed Ben Sulayem. His replacement, Marques, has been a race director for Formula 2 and Formula 3 and now finds himself promoted for the final three races of the season.

Given that there’s a drivers’ championship not yet officially decided, and a constructors’ battle very much raging between McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes, it’s hardly the ideal time for a new hand on the grand prix tiller. The shadow of Abu Dhabi 2021 and the actions of then-race director Michael Masi still haunt F1, and another results-bending controversy caused by finger trouble from the officials would be a disaster. No pressure, Mr Marques. Genuinely, we wish him the very best of luck – but let’s hope he won’t need it.

Leclerc seeks Vegas retribution

So, who will win this weekend? The weather in Brazil threw form up in the air, but at the previous races in Austin and Mexico Ferrari emerged as the team to beat, with a win apiece for Charles Leclerc and Sainz. A year ago, Leclerc was unlucky not to win in Vegas, after being bundled off at Turn 1 by Verstappen – who won despite receiving a penalty for the incident – and then failing to pit when a second safety car interlude was called. He was downcast, despite passing Sergio Pérez on the final lap with a great move. Low night-time temperatures might not suit the SF-24, but before a wheel has turned Leclerc might still be the best bet. Retribution for last year would be sweet.

Set your alarm clocks

Final word ahead of Vegas: the schedule is punishing from whichever perspective you are looking at the grand prix. For those in Nevada, a start time of 10pm on a Saturday night is brutal. For those of us in the UK, it just means a very early Sunday morning. Lights will go out at 06:00 UK time. Don’t forget to set your alarm clock!

Images courtesy of Motorsport Images.