Las Vegas GP Race Report

It was all showbusiness and glitz in Vegas for the race.  Mickey and Minnie Mouse waved the drivers onto the truck for the parade, as each was announced American style.  The trophy was a neon rainbow cascade of colour and the Disney marching band accompanied the Star Spangled Banner.

This circuit is easy for overtaking, so nothing was guaranteed for any driver, wherever they qualified.  Norris pulled out an aggressive start and went straight into Verstappen's path and then off over a corner; he dropped to third behind Russell.  Luckily, Piastri had also lost places off the start, having collided with Lawson.  Bearman made up four places and is firmly in contention for rookie of the year, or at least was at that point in proceedings.  Bortoleto won't be, having tried to make up too many places off the grid and tagging Stroll, who spun into others. Gasly also lost seven places from a great starting position.  Hamilton on the hard tyre was in 12th by the second lap, having started at the back.  There were bits of Lawson's wing all over the track so Virtual Safety Car conditions were called for to clear the track.  It was hard to keep up with everything that happened.

Antonelli and Albon were both noted for starting infringements; it was a late call as the stewards were busy investigating things up and down the pack.  Suddenly, LeClerc came to life and started to overtake one car after another.  Russell was less happy as he was encountering problems with his steering.  Albon went into the back of Hamilton; the VSC edict came again to clear up the debris.  

There were very traditional mid-race stops (a few folk went early), Norris and Sainz (running in 4th) led the way.  Piastri got Sainz straight away.  Verstappen took a free stop and there would be little that could happen to stop him winning the race.

It was Lap 34 when Norris finally made a good move and got past Russell for second.  It was incredibly disappointing that Sainz had dropped back to 7th after the pit stops.  After his initial mistake, it was a good recovery race for Norris but it will always be "what could have been".  LeClerc's promise mid-race didn't amount to much.  Antonelli's drive really stood out and could help him overtake Bearman for Rookie of the Year.

There were three non-finishers: Albon, Bortoleto and Stroll, all of whom disappeared quite quietly and presumably went to try their luck elsewhere on the Strip.

Terry Cruz drove the pink Lego Cadillac around the track to chauffeur the drivers to the podium.  All in all it was a great show and, of all the races on the calendar, is the one that I'm most drawn to attending.  There was an epilogue to the show though hours later, when both McLaren cars were disqualified.  I'm slightly annoyed that such a teeny-weeny margin could hand Verstappen yet another championship, although I suppose he will really have to battle now and not just wait and see what happens.  Another ding-dong between Norris and Verstappen could be interesting.  I'm also pleased that it bumps Sainz right up in the points.

Las Vegas GP Qualifying Report

It was "chucking it down" (Ted Sky F1) in Vegas for Qualifying.  There were so many white lines on the street circuit that it would be tricky going on track.  Bearman had said that it was dangerous in these conditions.  There had been problems with manhole covers again this year in practice; with one problem solved the drivers were facing another.

Everyone chose to start on the Intermediate tyres apart from Aston Martin, who went on Wets.  Piastri switched before he even left the pit lane and others followed suit.  The green team were right.  Drivers were spinning off left, right and centre.  Then lap times started being deleted, which left some drivers in a perilous position.  I was surprised but delighted that they didn't stop the session for the wet conditions.  Drivers had to just keep going; anything could upset your lap; towards the end, Norris set two purple sectors but then had to lift for Yellow Flags and set the third fastest time on that attempt.

Bearman was the first driver to make a proper boo boo, going into the barrier but fortunately off track ish, Yellow Flags were waved which meant other laps would not be completed at top speed.  It was a bad session for Williams: Sainz would be visiting the stewards after the session for reentering the track unsafely and Albon crashed at the end (especially annoying when there was no need for him to push on that lap).  Last year's winner, Russell, was fastest followed by Verstappen and Alonso.  Out went Albon, Antonelli, Bortoleto, Tsunoda and Hamilton in last.  Interesting that all of the teams battling in the Constructors' Championship behind McLaren each had a driver out.

Everyone had learnt by the time the second session started and went out on Wet tyres to start with.  The rain had stopped coming down but it would take a long time for the track to dry out.  Stroll was the first driver to go to the Intermediate tyres, Aston Martin leading the way again.  It didn't pay off, he couldn't better his 12th place set on Wets.  Russell was fastest again, this time with Hadjar and Sainz, showing it was all about timing on track.  Out went Hulkenberg, Stroll, Ocon, Bearman (a good job by his mechanics to get the car back out after his Q1 crash) and Colapinto, who had a very wibbly lap.

It was Intermediate tyres for Q3.  The drivers went out and just went round and round.  Russell seemed to have lost it, sliding around as he went.  There were no dodgy moments, so the best ten drivers of the day had definitely been whittled down for this final session (apart from maybe LeClerc).  As the chequered flag was waved, Sainz went fastest but pole was quickly taken off him by Verstappen.  Norris was putting in purple sectors again and this time made it count and took pole to end things, with his face looming large over the track on the Sphere.  The finishing order of the top ten was Norris, Verstappen, Sainz, Russell, Piastri, Lawson, Alonso, Hadjar, LeClerc and Gasly.  It was an outstanding performance by Sainz and he was cleared of reentering the track unsafely, so he held on to the place.  Russell couldn't maintain his stellar run through the sessions, which was a shame.  Piastri doesn't need to be starting four places behind his team mate and the man he is chasing for the Drivers' Championship.  It was an excellent showing for the Racing Bulls.  Gasly deserved to be higher up the grid too, certainly above the Wurlitzer of the Ferrari.

We will have to see how much Qualifying means on Race day, it being only the third visit to the circuit.  Piastri really has nothing to lose now and can go for it.  Norris will need to be much more careful.

Las Vegas GP Race Report

As the drivers were introduced individually onto the truck to be driven around the track, you got a sense of what the weather was like.  The gusting winds blew hair about and all the drivers were in the thickest of team coats.  

The grid was absolutely rammed before the formation lap but no celebrities for Martin Brundle to chat to until he hit gold with Sly Stallone.  Then the anthem was performed by Boyz II Men.  More man than boy now, the harmonies lasted well into the night.

Colapinto would be starting from the pit lane, which should have seen him clear of any first corner incident.  Against all predictions, Russell made a great start and everyone was safe through even though they were four a breast in some places.  LeClerc held a good line and jumped Gasly and Sainz for second place.  Vestappen and Norris remained in 5th and 6th.

After ten laps a few drivers had swapped places.  Verstappen had made his way up to 3rd position with Norris sufficiently far behind to lose the championship.  Alonso had already pitted and LeClerc and Norris were called into the pits.  They were followed by several other drivers including Piastri who had to serve a penalty for a false start.

Gasly had done so well to stay with the leaders in the race but then he was frantically messaging the team and being reassured by them.  He was right though, his engine blew.  Let's hope with all the celebrity investment, it's a better car for him next season.  And we can say that with true hope as Ocon wouldn't also benefit.  Further down the track, there were further woes with Albon also having to retire.

Verstappen drove to defend his championship lead and hopefully hold it and take it.  He radioed his team to see if he should defend to the two Ferraris as he was sitting in 3rd.  With Norris in 6th, he could take it easy but his team suggested he had better try to hold them off.  With a couple of laps to go, both red cars were past him and the positions were back where we had started with Verstappen in 5th and potentially world champion and Norris in 6th.

There were many great drives in this race.  Russell drove flawlessly to win from start to finish, massively overshadowed by Verstappen taking the championship.  Hamilton came from 10th to finish 2nd.  Tsunoda was quietly 9th.  Colapinto recovered from his big crash in Qualifying to finish 13th having started from the pit lane.  There were no complaints about the weather or the tyres graining too much.

Verstappen was crying inside his helmet, you'd think he could cope better with this after so much practice now.  Russell whooped and cheered.  Hamilton was Driver of the Day; no points for it though.  The Ferrari drivers were not happy and LeClerc let off a torrent of abuse at his team over the radio.

None of the drivers put on their seat belts in the back of the Rolls Royces that drove them to the podium.  The whole routine was painful as they were taken around. The interviews were well-delivered and then it went on.  It's one small area Vegas needs to improve on.  With two more races to go, some drivers will want to be having fun and others will have to focus on getting the Constructor's Championship secured.

Las Vegas GP Qualifying Report

Everyone seemed very excited to be back in Vegas.  If Norris didn't finish at least 3 points ahead of Verstappen, the Red Bull driver would win the Driver's Championship.  However, it was Ferrari who were the team expected to be at the top here.

On Qually Day though, it looked like Mercedes would be very, very quick.  There was no big drama on track but out went Stroll in last place (whose mechanics couldn't fix a problem on the car in time), Bottas (whose car is awful and will be retiring at the end of the year), Albon (who had a time deleted), Alonso (for no apparent reason) and Perez (because he is a poor driver and the Red Bulls are struggling).

There was nobody unexpected out in Q2, for a minute.  It looked like both Alpines, both RBs, Zhou and Colapinto.  Then the Argentinian smashed up his Williams and it made an awful sound, scraping along the track.  Then Tsunoda made it through and put out Magnussen.  There was a lot of damage and it was the last thing the team needed.  It really doesn't matter if Sainz is an awful driver next year, as long as he doesn't smash it up.

In the final session, drivers started to make mistakes.  Hamilton and LeClerc both had wobbles that lost them a timed lap.  The track was getting quicker: Norris took pole, then Russell, then Sainz (Gasly splitting the Ferraris).  It was up to Russell who had been out last and he got it.  The top 10 was a jumble of teams.  Russell took advantage of how quick the Mercedes were, then Sainz, Gasly continuing Alpine's strong streak, LeClerc, Verstappen struggling with the Red Bull one place ahead of Norris, crucially for the championship, Tsunoda, Piastri, Hulkenberg and lastly, Hamilton.

The line up looked to make a great race.

The glitz and glamour of Vegas continued as the race arrived.  The gloriously-named Bruce Buffer introduced the drivers on to the parade and when the cars had finally reached the grid, it was so packed no one could move.

Interviewed on the grid, Albon said that the race would be: "all about the graining."  If you can manage the tyres you will have a good race and if you can't you will go backwards.  As was proven later.

Alonso made a prediction about the race too: "You will enjoy it."  He certainly won't have enjoyed the start.  Or the middle or end probably.

It was the biggest of disappointments at the start with Verstappen immediately overtaking LeClerc for the lead.  The track was especially slippery.  Sargeant lost a place to Magnussen off the start but the Williams had great pace on the straight and he was able to retake the place.  There was some debris on the track from something, possibly a spin by Sainz and a Virtual Safety Car was called for.  Alonso, Perez and Bottas pitted.  The cause of the incident was Alonso spinning in the middle of the pack, bouncing off Bottas like bumper cars.

Then, 3 laps in, in a blink of an eye, we saw Norris disappear off the track.  It took him a while to get out of the car but he did radio in that he was okay.  He didn't look okay when he did get out of the car (unaided).  He lost the rear and left the track backwards, nearly taking out his team mate.  The debris showered Hamilton.

LeClerc was sleeping at the rolling start and Verstappen sailed away.  Rookie Piastri showed the grid how it was done and made a sweet move on Tsunoda.

The stewards finally made a decision about Verstappen's opening pass and awarded him a 5 second penalty, which is nothing to the driver this year.  The glib response from him proved this.  As they were running first and second, they should have been made to swap the places.  It turned out that Verstappen damaged his tyres dashing away after the Safety Car, which meant that on Lap 16 LeClerc retook the lead, with the Red Bull pitting immediately.

Piastri and Hamilton had a little bump which gave Piastri a long stop and Hamilton a puncture.

Then it was LeClerc's pit stop and Ferrari only delivered a slow stop but at least they did know he was coming in, had tyres ready, the crew knew it was happening and they overcame all those little hurdles they usually succumb to.

Verstappen was trying to make his way back up to the front of the pack, then on Lap 26 he and Russell made contact, with damage to both cars and a lot of debris on the track.  On a street track debris equals Safety Car, so lots of drivers including Russell and Verstappen made a cheap pit stop.

Russell was given a 5 second penalty for the incident.  Piastri did well again at the restart and found himself in 3rd.  Verstappen was briefly investigated for an unsafe release but nothing came of it.

Somehow, Perez managed to catch and overtake LeClerc for the lead on Lap 32.  Piastri was unable to hold off Verstappen for third place.  Behind them Gasly and Ocon went wheel to wheel and without team orders they battled for 5th and 6th, however someone came swiftly over the radio to put pay to that.  Perez stuck true to form and, when he had it all, fell asleep, took it fore-granted and lost the lead back to LeClerc.  Also swiftly past Perez was his team mate Verstappen.  It wasn't long until he was back in the lead again.

Toto Wolff radioed to Russell urging him to push forward and make some overtakes; he clearly wasn't bothered with encouraging his other driver, Hamilton, to score some points.  Rhianna will be very disappointed in Lewis.

With 7 laps to go, LeClerc made a mistake and gave second place to Perez.  A Red Bull one-two was now on the cards.  However, LeClerc repeated Alonso's Brazil feat and overtook Perez on the last lap for second position.  Disappointingly, Williams were not able to convert their qualifying position into any points at all.  Poor Gasly went backwards too.

Having moaned about the whole event, Verstappen was played Elvis over team radio and he sang along.  Whilst wearing an Elvis tribute race suit.

Instead of the cool down room, the top three drivers were driven in a Rolls Royce to the podium.  They sat uncomfortably thigh-to-thigh, with Perez in his tribute Ferrari race suit.  I'm sure that will be questioned back at HQ the next day.

Finally, they made it to the podium, where their presence was announced with a fruit machine spin.  The lost of the dice this season will be in a week's time in Abu Dhabi.

Las Vegas GP Qualifying Report

Apologies for the radio silence - I had a mechanical failure (of the back).  Hopefully I can sit and type through this event.

The Vegas event hadn't been without controversy already.  The residents had been vociferous in complaining about having streets closed for 10 days straight and all the building works for months prior (Edinburgh and Croydon feel your pain).  The track then brought itself more bother during Free Practice 1 when a water valve man hole thing came loose under Sainz's car.  It also ran under Ocon's car.  Sainz had to have his plank changed which gave him a 10 place grid penalty.  I think you could feel the waves of outrage from F1 fans across the globe.

F1 fans across the globe were geared up to play Crofty Goes to Vegas Bingo.  If you'd like to play during the race the words are: Elvis ✓, The Hangover, cashing their chips, placing their bets...

During Q1 Tsunoda achieved what I felt was unachievable at a street track like this: having a lap time deleted for leaving the track.  Did he run through a casino?  Skim over the Belagio lake?  How did he get off the track?  With a huge following in the US, both McLarens were out, which will be a big hit for them.  Ocon, Zhou and Tsunoda were also out with Sargeant through to a rare Q2 outing at one of his home tracks.

Teams and drivers continued to be caught out in Q2: Hamilton, Perez, Hulkenberg, Stroll and Ricciardo.  Both Williams were through and both Ferraris held the front row.  So far, no red flags and no safety cars - surprising.

Ferrari held on to the two fastest spots in the final session, although Sainz will start 12th, so Verstappen will start on the front row.  Behind them: Gasly, Russell, Albon, Sargeant, Alonso, Magnussen and Bottas.  Being the pole-sitter means your face is projected onto the roof on the top of the pit buildings.

Verstappen said he "maximised performance" today; I wonder how often he uses the phrase "maximised" about things he does.