F1 planners overlooked Las Vegas' chilly November nights

The cold reality of Las Vegas' night race

Formula 1's inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix in November 2023 presents teams with unpredictable cold-weather challenges.

Scheduling the Saturday night race overlooked a basic fact - desert temperatures plummet after sundown. Former F1 executive Ross Brawn admitted they didn't consider the temperature impact.

"The one thing we hadn’t considered initially is it gets very, very cold at night," he said in a recent interview to talkSPORT.

Adapting to frigid temperatures

With lows potentially near freezing, tire performance suffers on the long straightaways along the Strip.

The late 10 PM start time accommodates European TV audiences. But it means ambient temperatures will be frigid compared to November daytime highs.

This prevents efficient tire warm-up on a layout prone to cooling cars. Cold snaps in the desert will shock teams expecting residual day heat. Cars require creative set-up solutions to generate heat quickly.

Power units and brakes also need adequate temperature to work optimally. Ill-prepared for the nighttime chill, F1 risks slippery traction and braking issues.

Drivers may struggle to push to the limit on cold rubber and carbon brakes. Any errors get amplified on the unforgiving Strip barriers.

Las Vegas is not Qatar

While some in the Formula 1 community speculated about similarities between the climates of Qatar and Las Vegas due to their desert locations, the original planners of the Las Vegas Grand Prix did not take into account the stark temperature drop at night.

This oversight led to the unexpected challenge of chilly November evenings, contrasting sharply with the scorching desert heat typically associated with such regions. Vegas' glitzy night backdrop presents a difficult balancing act.

While promising spectacular sightlines, the glow of neon conceals unseen hazards. F1 must embrace unpredictable challenges under the lights.

This high-speed experiment on the Strip's slicked blacktop will examine every team's adaptability.

Their preparations in the daylight hours will be tested after dark. Sin City delivers a new kind of trial under the stars for F1.