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The 2024 F1 Las Vegas GP kicks off the final triple-header of the season. We're done with 21 races this year and three are left. In terms of championship, Max Verstappen put together a mega race weekend in Brazil and more or less shut down any hope or possibility of a challenge from Lando Norris.
At the same time, the battle for the constructors championship is still close, and it could go either way with McLaren, Red Bull, and Ferrari all in contention, and it could come down to the momentum either of them gathers across the weekend.
The first race in Las Vegas was a brilliant action-packed affair, and in the eyes of many, the best event of the season, so what could we expect this time around? Let's take a look.
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2024 F1 Las Vegas GP: Preview
Key Storylines
#1 Max Verstappen could win the title this weekend
If Max Verstappen finishes the 2024 F1 Las Vegas GP ahead of Lando Norris, he secures the title. The Dutch driver brilliantly struck form in the race in Brazil and has just evaporated whatever pressure there was on him for the title battle.
With that being said, everyone will be keeping an eye on Verstappen and his position relative to Norris to see if he can capture the title this weekend.
#2 Where's Red Bull in the pecking order?
While Brazil was a race weekend where Red Bull appeared to find a decent amount of performance, there are still question marks over the ultimate pace of the car. These question marks are not necessarily for this season, as it does appear that the championship is more or less done, it's for the next season when it all starts from zero once again.
At the F1 Las Vegas GP, while the pressure is certainly off the shoulders of the reigning champions, they would be hoping to see some strong signs of recovery.
#3 The lethargy of the 2024 F1 season
Max Verstappen and his father have already complained about how long and arduous the 2024 F1 season was. It's hard to disagree with them as we've already done 21 races and there are still 3 races left. Not too long ago, we used to have 21 race seasons, but the number has just been ramped up to a critical number of 24.
It will be interesting to see what the others feel about this, especially with not much at stake for other teams comparatively.
Form Guide
On Form
You have to pick Max Verstappen for this one. The way he dominated the race in Brazil was a surprise and a delight at the same time. Not only that, it gave him an opportunity to now breathe a little easier. Knowing Max as we do, he won't be resting on his laurels at the F1 Las Vegas GP and would be looking to capitalize on what might be the week he seals the title.
Out of form
It seems to be Lewis Hamilton who falls in this category, as the Mercedes driver appeared as checked out in Brazil as we've ever seen a driver be. The form is poor at this stage, and one has to wonder what version of Lewis shows up this weekend.
2024 F1 Las Vegas GP: Predictions
Who will win the race?
Ferrari is the team that is seemingly picked out by almost everyone as the car that would suit the track perfectly. Charles Leclerc almost won the race here last season and with the form that he's in right now in the second half of the season, he's going to be the one that we pick as the winner of the F1 Las Vegas GP.
There is an element of the cold weather maybe throwing a spanner in the plans but we are more or less backing the Ferrari driven by Leclerc as the favorite to win.
Surprise of the weekend (Team)
One area where Mercedes has been somewhat competitive this season and what helped the team win a couple of races this season was the form it had when the temperatures dropped.
It was evident in the race in Spa and in Silverstone as well. The conditions for the F1 Las Vegas GP are going to be cooler and when that happens, keep an eye on Mercedes to close the gap to the front and be a contender for the podium.
Surprise of the weekend (Driver)
Last season, Alpine surprised everyone with the performance it had and it does appear that the car has more or less carried the same trait this time around as well. While the power unit inefficiency is a problem, we're banking on the team's outgoing driver, Esteban Ocon, to put together another impressive race to back up the podium he scored in Brazil in the last race.
Disappointment of the weekend (Team)
This one could possibly go to Williams, a team that splashed out of the blue and put together a decent run since Franco Colapinto joined the squad. While that was the case, the multiple crashes in the last few races mean the team is right on the edge when it comes to bringing the car to the track.
The car in this scenario might not be optimal, and when that happens, it just hurts the prospects of the team for the F1 Las Vegas GP.
Disappointment of the weekend (Driver)
Lewis Hamilton is coming into what will be his last three races with the team. By the looks of it, neither the form nor the motivation appear to be there to truly push himself to a strong result. In a car that is as tricky as this one, it doesn't help, and as a result, expect Lewis to struggle during the F1 Las Vegas GP.
