Max Verstappen Hopes for Dry Las Vegas GP Amidst Rain Concerns

Max Verstappen has made it clear he prefers a completely dry Las Vegas Grand Prix, expressing concerns about the potential impact of wet weather on the already challenging street circuit. Despite recent rainfall and forecasts, the Dutchman is focused on understanding the track conditions and aiming for a repeat victory in Sin City.

Why it matters:

The Las Vegas Grand Prix, already known for its cold temperatures and unique grip issues, presents a significant challenge. Adding wet weather to the mix would further complicate matters for drivers and teams, potentially impacting race strategy and performance. Verstappen's stance highlights the desire for consistent conditions to allow for a true test of speed and skill on this demanding track.

The details:

• Las Vegas experienced significant rainfall and flooding on Tuesday, followed by more rain during Wednesday's media day.
• Further rain is forecast throughout the weekend, though it's uncertain if it will directly impact any sessions.
• F1 has never had a wet session in Las Vegas since its debut in 2023.
• The street circuit is one of the coldest races on the calendar, exacerbating grip challenges.
• Verstappen stated, "I prefer to just have a dry race. It's already hard enough to get everything working here — or understanding at least something."
• He added, "if the track floods, maybe less practice is also not a bad thing," indicating the extreme conditions that could arise.

The big picture:

Verstappen, currently 49 points behind championship leader Lando Norris, is in a critical position to maintain his title contention. A victory in Las Vegas is crucial for him to close the gap. He secured his fourth consecutive drivers' title with a win in Sin City last season and is coming off a strong comeback drive in São Paulo, where he finished third after starting from the pit lane.

What's next:

Verstappen is optimistic about his chances for victory, referencing his strong race pace in Brazil. He believes his team can be competitive this weekend, aiming to replicate his previous success on the Las Vegas street circuit. The focus will be on adapting to any conditions, dry or wet, to maximize performance and keep his championship hopes alive.