Formula 1 has returned to Las Vegas for the 2024 Formula 1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix. As a recap from last year, the race was won by Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing, followed by Charles Leclerc of Ferrari and Sergio ‘Checo’ Perez of Red Bull. The race saw the most overtakes (99) in a race since 2016 at the Chinese Grand Prix.
This year’s race “weekend” takes place between Thursday and Saturday, starting last night with the first two practice sessions. Both practice sessions were topped by Lewis Hamilton, who set a time of 1:35.001
and a 1:33:825. Notably, Red Bull Racing’s two drivers seemed to really struggle in practice last night, finishing Practice 2 in 17th and 19th.
Though it may be boring to many locals or non-F1 fans just seeing the drivers do laps without any racing action, yesterday completely overshadowed last year’s practice sessions. Last year, Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz ran over a drain cover that was sucked out of its hole by the downforce of the car. It caused the end of Practice 1 and a delay to Practice 2 after his car got airborne temporarily and crashed back down to the ground leaving plumes of sparks everywhere. His engine and gearbox were both heavily damaged in the incident and he was forced to replace them and take what was labeled “Formula 1’s most unfair penalty” by commentator Alex Jacques.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix also hosted its first support series: Ferrari Challenge. It is a spec-series with cars operated and driven by official Ferrari dealers. They held practice after F1 at 8:30 pm with qualifying being held at midnight.
Outside of the track, many events and fan zones are being held around the city that appeal to more than just F1 fans or race-goers. Williams Racing is holding a fan zone on the Brooklyn
Bridge at the New York New York hotel on the Strip. The zone is open through tomorrow and has hosted multiple icons and ambassadors of the team with current driver Franco Colapinto speaking on stage last Tuesday the 19th.
When asked about his thoughts on racing in the city, he responded: “I think it’s a really good track. It’s an amazing city to be at … it’s only the second race here in Vegas and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Team boss James Vowles also spoke on stage yesterday ahead of the first practice session. “I think in these conditions the track and tires are going to be very cold.” said Vowles, “But this will also [be] a race that we can see a championship be decided and when that happens, everything can happen.”
