It could solely be the penultimate race of the F1 season, however the Las Vegas Grand Prix is likely to be the most anticipated race of the season. The metropolis of Las Vegas is pulling out all the stops, together with a short lived observe that can go proper via the well-known Las Vegas Strip. Even with the outcomes of the Brazilian Grand Prix contemporary in everybody’s minds, let’s begin looking at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Here are the high drivers who’re in rivalry to end first in the first F1 race held in Las Vegas since 1982.
Max Verstappen
Without query, Verstappen is the clear favorite to win the Las Vegas Grand Prix, in accordance to all of the main betting sites. The Dutchman has dominated the F1 season in a means that no different driver has in the historical past of the sport. After successful the Brazil Grand Prix, Verstappen has now gained 17 of the 20 this season. Why wouldn’t he be favoured to win the final two? Clearly, Verstappen is the finest F1 driver in the world proper now by an enormous margin. The solely caveat is that the Las Vegas Grand Prix is a brand new race with an unfamiliar course, which may stage the enjoying area. But if anybody can regulate shortly to it, Verstappen can.
Sergio Perez
Perez is likely to be the driver with the finest probability of ending Verstappen’s five-race successful streak. He’s presently second in the F1 standings and has proven in the previous that he’s able to giving Verstappen a run for his cash. In reality, two of the three races this season that Verstappen didn’t win had been gained by Perez. On the different hand, Perez has completed outdoors of the high three drivers in six straight races, so he’s not in the kind he was in early in the season when he gained his two races.
Lewis Hamilton
Currently third in the F1 standings, Hamilton is one other driver who may pull off a shock at the Las Vegas Grand Prix and stop Verstappen from successful. Hamilton is a seven-time F1 champion, successful the title in 2020 earlier than Verstappen’s reign started. During the present season, Hamilton has completed in the high three in six races, together with a second-place end at the Mexico City Grand Prix final month. In different phrases, he’s considered one of the few drivers with the abilities and observe document to steal the highlight away from Verstappen in Las Vegas.
Fernando Alonso
Following back-to-back races through which he was compelled to retire, Alonso completed third at the Brazil Grand Prix. While he’s but to win a race this season, he’s been adequate to be fourth in the F1 standings. Without query, his finest days are behind him, as Alonso hasn’t gained an F1 race in over a decade. However, his expertise stage may show helpful on the unfamiliar observe in Las Vegas.
George Russell
Outside of some races when he’s been compelled to retire, Russell hasn’t completed worse than eighth place in a race all season. The younger Brit has introduced a stunning stage of consistency to the circuit in 2023. Russell will undoubtedly be disenchanted after being compelled to retire final weekend throughout the Brazil Grand Prix, a race that he gained final season. That ought to encourage him to be at his finest when he goes to Las Vegas.
Charles Leclerc
Somewhat quietly, Leclerc has had a powerful run throughout the second half of the F1 season. Of the final six races that he’s been in a position to end, Leclerc has completed in the high 5 in all of them. That features a third-place end at the Mexico City Grand Prix final month. Leclerc is considered one of the few drivers that’s been persistently nipping at Verstappen’s heels. That makes him a darkish horse candidate to steal the Las Vegas Grand Prix away from Verstappen.
Carlos Sainz Jr.
There are solely three F1 drivers who can declare to have gained a race in 2023, and Sainz is considered one of them. He took first place at the Singapore Grand Prix earlier than Verstappen rattled off 5 victories in a row. Including that win in Singapore, Sainz has completed third or higher in three of his final six races. Despite solely being ranked sixth in the F1 standings proper now, Sainz ought to nonetheless be thought-about a menace in Las Vegas to beat Verstappen and the remainder of the area for the second time this 12 months.
