40 Facts About Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024

The Las Vegas Strip Circuit: A Unique Venue

The Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024 took place at one of the most iconic locations in the world. The Las Vegas Strip Circuit offered a unique blend of glamour and challenge for drivers and teams alike.

1. Location and Circuit: The race occurred at the Las Vegas Strip Circuit, a 6.201-kilometer street circuit in Paradise, Nevada, United States.
2. Event Date: Held on November 23, 2024, with qualifying sessions and practice rounds on November 21 and 22.
3. Braking Challenges: The circuit posed significant braking challenges, especially at Turn 14, where cars decelerated from 329 km/h to 95 km/h in just 2.59 seconds over 130 meters.
4. Braking System Performance: Brembo engineers rated the braking system as a medium-level challenge, with a difficulty rating of 3 due to six braking zones per lap, but only half requiring significant braking effort.
5. Brake Pedal Force: Drivers applied nearly 720 kg of force on the brake pedal during one lap, using the brakes for 13.5 seconds.

Championship Standings and Title Bids

The 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix was crucial for the championship standings, with drivers and teams vying for top positions.

6. Championship Standing: Max Verstappen led the Drivers' Championship with 393 points, 62 points ahead of Lando Norris in second, and 86 ahead of Charles Leclerc in third.
7. Constructors' Championship: McLaren led the Constructors' Championship with 593 points, followed by Ferrari and Red Bull Racing with 557 and 544 points, respectively.
8. Max Verstappen's Title Bid: Verstappen had a strong opportunity to secure his fourth consecutive World Championship title at this event.
9. Championship Permutations: Verstappen could secure the title if he won the race or finished ahead of Lando Norris. Alternatively, he could finish third with the fastest lap if Norris finished second or lower, or finish fourth with the fastest lap if Norris finished third or lower.

Race Weekend Schedule and Tyre Choices

The race weekend was packed with practice sessions, qualifying rounds, and strategic tyre choices that played a significant role in the event.

10. Tyre Choices: Pirelli supplied the C3, C4, and C5 tyre compounds, the softest three in their range, designated as hard, medium, and soft, respectively.
11. Practice Sessions: Three free practice sessions were held: the first on November 21 at 18:30 local time (UTC–8), the second on the same day at 22:00 local time, and the third on November 22 at 18:30 local time.
12. Qualifying Session: Qualifying took place on November 22 at 22:00 local time (UTC–8).
13. Race Schedule: The race was held on November 23 at 22:00 local time (UTC–8) and consisted of 50 laps.

Economic Impact and Attendance

The Las Vegas Grand Prix not only thrilled motorsport fans but also had a significant economic impact on the region.

14. Economic Impact: The 2023 Las Vegas GP had a significant economic impact, with spectators spending $884 million, averaging $4,100 per person, not including entry ticket costs. The event also generated $77 million in tax revenue.
15. Attendance: The first edition of the Las Vegas GP in 2023 attracted 315,000 spectators, making it a highly popular event.

Race Results and Highlights

The 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix was filled with exciting moments, from race results to individual performances.

16. 2024 Race Results: George Russell of Mercedes won the race, with Lewis Hamilton finishing second and Carlos Sainz third.
17. Constructor Standings Post-Race: McLaren maintained their lead in the Constructors’ Championship by 24 points over Ferrari, thanks to Lando Norris’s sixth-place finish and setting the fastest lap.
18. McLaren’s Consistency: Lando Norris finished sixth for the second consecutive race, while teammate Oscar Piastri came home in seventh place for his 16th consecutive points finish, matching Verstappen’s streak.
19. Haas’s Return to Form: Nico Hülkenberg’s eighth-place finish helped Haas regain sixth place in the Constructors’ Championship by one point over Alpine.
20. Red Bull’s Performance: Yuki Tsunoda scored points for the second consecutive race and the ninth time in Grands Prix this season, finishing ninth. Sergio Pérez finished tenth in the second Red Bull car, scoring nine points in the last six Grand Prix weekends.
21. Sauber’s Zhou Guanyu: Zhou Guanyu finished 13th for Sauber, his highest finish of the season so far, having only finished higher once in Bahrain.
22. Williams’ DNF: Alex Albon did not finish the race for Williams, marking his first DNF since Austin. Pierre Gasly also did not finish for Alpine.
23. No Yellow Flags: There were no yellow flags during the race, ensuring a smooth and incident-free event.

Max Verstappen's Championship Victory

Max Verstappen's performance at the Las Vegas Grand Prix secured his place in F1 history.

24. Driver Standings Post-Race: Max Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive World Championship title by finishing fifth in the race, securing enough points to clinch the title despite Norris’s strong performance.
25. Verstappen’s Title Clinching: Verstappen’s title win marked his sixth F1 World Championship, cementing his status as one of the greatest drivers in F1 history.

Team Performances and Strategies

Teams employed various strategies and showcased their strengths throughout the race.

26. Mercedes’ Dominance: The Mercedes team secured a 1-2 finish in the race, with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton taking the top two spots on the podium.
27. Ferrari’s Consistency: Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finished fourth, while Carlos Sainz took third place, showcasing the team’s consistent performance throughout the season.
28. McLaren’s Points Finish: McLaren’s Lando Norris finished sixth and set the fastest lap of the race, securing crucial points for his team and maintaining their lead in the Constructors’ Championship.
29. Red Bull’s Points Scoring: Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda and Sergio Pérez both scored points, with Tsunoda finishing ninth and Pérez tenth, contributing to their team’s overall performance.
30. Haas’s Return to Form: Haas’s Nico Hülkenberg finished eighth, helping his team regain sixth place in the Constructors’ Championship.
31. Sauber’s Zhou Guanyu’s Performance: Sauber’s Zhou Guanyu finished 13th, his highest finish of the season so far, demonstrating his team’s resilience and determination.
32. Williams’ DNF: Alex Albon did not finish the race for Williams, marking his first DNF since Austin. Pierre Gasly also did not finish for Alpine, both drivers facing challenges during the event.
33. No Yellow Flags: The absence of yellow flags during the race ensured a smooth and incident-free event, allowing drivers to focus on their performance without interruptions.

Tyre Strategy and Weather Conditions

Tyre choices and weather conditions played a crucial role in the race's outcome.

34. Tyre Strategy: The use of Pirelli’s C3, C4, and C5 tyre compounds allowed teams to strategize effectively, with some opting for softer tyres to gain an advantage in braking and cornering.
35. Weather Conditions: The race took place under clear skies with no significant weather conditions affecting the event, allowing drivers to push their cars to the limit without any external factors impacting their performance.

Circuit Statistics and Event Highlights

The Las Vegas Strip Circuit provided a challenging and exciting backdrop for the Grand Prix.

36. Circuit Statistics: The Las Vegas Strip Circuit is a challenging track with a mix of high-speed corners and tight braking zones, making it a demanding course for both drivers and teams.
37. Turn 14 Braking Details: The load on drivers during Turn 14 was 4.4 g, with a braking power of 2,468 kW and a force applied on the brake pedal of 140 kg.
38. Ferrari’s Qualifying Performance: In the first edition of the Las Vegas GP, Ferrari secured a 1-2 in qualifying. However, Carlos Sainz was relegated 10 positions for replacing the battery after hitting a manhole cover that damaged his car during practice.
39. Ferrari’s Front Row Record: Ferrari has monopolized the front row in 83 GPs, with 56 of those being with Brembo brakes. Mercedes holds the record with 84.
40. Event Highlights: The 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix was marked by exciting moments, including George Russell’s victory and Max Verstappen’s title clinching, making it a memorable event in the 2024 Formula One World Championship.

The Thrills of the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix

The 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix was nothing short of spectacular. Held on November 23, it saw George Russell take the win, followed by Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz. Max Verstappen clinched his fourth consecutive World Championship, solidifying his legacy. The Las Vegas Strip Circuit, with its challenging turns and braking zones, tested drivers' skills to the max. McLaren maintained their lead in the Constructors' Championship, thanks to Lando Norris's consistent performance. The event drew massive crowds and had a significant economic impact, showcasing its importance in the motorsport world. With no yellow flags and clear skies, the race was smooth and thrilling. From strategic tire choices to intense competition, every moment kept fans on the edge of their seats. The 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix truly highlighted the excitement and unpredictability of Formula One racing.