November 21st 2024.
It was a restless night for Lando Norris as he struggled to shake off his disappointment from the previous race at Interlagos. As the Formula One community prepares for the highly anticipated Las Vegas Grand Prix, it seems that Max Verstappen is on the verge of being crowned the champion. All eyes are on the Dutchman as he only needs to finish ahead of his rival Lando Norris to secure the title with two races to spare.
If Verstappen wins the championship, he will join the ranks of legendary drivers such as Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel, who have also won four world titles in their careers. However, he will still have a long way to go to reach the levels of Juan Manuel Fangio, Michael Schumacher, and Lewis Hamilton, who have achieved even more. Despite Verstappen's victory in last year's Las Vegas GP, Ferrari had the faster car. This year, we can expect the red cars to put up a strong fight and potentially take the lead. The SF-24 is known for its strength in slow corners, traction zones, and long straights, although it may struggle with low tire temperatures.
The race for the constructors' championship is also heating up, with only 49 points separating McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull. While Verstappen may secure the drivers' title this weekend, the battle for the constructors' championship is expected to go down to the wire. A strong performance from Ferrari in Las Vegas could pave the way for their first world title in 16 years.
Norris, who had a disappointing race in Brazil, is determined to keep his championship hopes alive. However, he will need to score three more points than Verstappen to do so. His teammate, Oscar Piastri, has also made it clear that he will not be playing a supporting role, as the chances of Norris winning the championship are slim. Despite his three wins this season, Norris feels that he was not fully prepared to go up against Red Bull and Verstappen earlier in the year. However, he is confident in his abilities now and is determined to put up a fight.
The McLaren team's trump card is their downforce in high-speed corners, which may not be as useful in Las Vegas. They will have to push hard to keep up with Ferrari and Red Bull on the fast and demanding track. Norris compares his battle with Verstappen to a game of chess, one that he looks set to lose, with Verstappen's pawns ready to attack.
Last year, Las Vegas delivered an exciting race, but it got off to a chaotic start when a manhole cover came loose and destroyed Carlos Sainz Jr's Ferrari. This year, the manhole covers have been reinforced or paved over to avoid a similar incident. However, as the race takes place on public roads, it poses a unique challenge for the race director, especially for Rui Marques, who is stepping up from F2 and F3 to replace Niels Wittich.
Speaking of Wittich, he has left his role as the race director after just three seasons. While it is said that he left to pursue other opportunities, there are rumors of a falling-out with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem. This change has caused some tensions between the drivers and the FIA, as they feel that they were not consulted before the decision was made. George Russell, director of the Grand Prix Drivers Association, expressed his surprise and frustration with the lack of consultation, especially when it involves the drivers directly. The association has also written an open letter to Sulayem, criticizing recent fines for swearing and asking for more transparency in where the money goes. They believe that they should be treated like adults and have their voices heard.
Overall, the Las Vegas Grand Prix promises to be an exciting and challenging race for all drivers, as they battle for the championship titles. With Verstappen on the verge of being crowned champion and tensions rising between the drivers and the FIA, it is sure to be a thrilling weekend for Formula One fans.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
