More than roulette, it seems that in Las Vegas weekend we will talk about Russian roulette for teams and drivers given the crazy schedules decided by the organizers. The city of sin will see the single-seaters slide on the strip at unwise times, with all the related problems. The cold is the main issue that threatens the race, but until we get on track, everything will remain an unknown.
The threat of cold
The top flight leaves Brazil - see how the prices at Fanta F1 change - and lands in Nevada. The choice to race in the newest city of Las Vegas finds its raison d'être in purely economic questions. There's nothing wrong with that, of course, but once again the leaders of the Formula 1 they neglect organizational aspects, putting the event and the health of the pilots at risk, all in favor of the much desired show.
Various aspects are meaningless. First of all, the decision to race on a track surrounded by desert in one date so close to winter. The temperature range is notable even in summer, let alone in the middle of autumn. Liberty Media, organizer of a grand prix for the first time, is not satisfied. The second aspect which raises some doubts, in fact, that's exactly it linked to timetables. The single-seaters will take to the track in the middle of the night: FP1 and FP3 will begin at 20pm, FP30 and Qualifying at midnight, while the race will start at 2pm. Already obsolete times in themselves, which become absurd if inserted into the situation in question.
Currently, in the capital of Nevada, during the day there are highs that hover around 20 degrees Celsius. The problem “arises” when the sun sets. In fact, temperatures close to 4° and 5° degrees are expected for track sessions. We therefore move on from the scorching heat of lusail - cause of fainting and discomfort - in the freezing cold of Nevada in the space of a few weeks, demonstrating once again how an F1 made of extremes only humiliate itself.
Problems related to the timetable
The city's autumn temperatures trigger a series of problems and unknowns. The first doubt concerns, obviously, tire management. Pirelli will bring its softer range, but no one knows if it will be enough to combat the cold. There is also another aspect that makes it difficult to keep the tires at temperature: the layout of the track. The three long straights will become the main enemy of drivers and teams in an attempt to stay close to the usage window to avoid graining and premature wear.
The decision – which has now become tradition – of choosing times that are disconnected from each other will make it even more difficult to collect data regarding wear and tear by the teams. The race, in fact, will start at a time never seen before in the previous days. The situation, already tragic in itself, becomes even more bitter given what has been admitted by Ross Brawn. The number two of Liberty media declared: “We hadn't considered that it gets very cold at night“. Words that rightfully enter the chapter "inadmissible oversights" in what is the great diary containing the stumbles of the leaders.
To add to that, there is also the clarity factor. Drivers, mechanics and technicians will find themselves having to perform at their best at times that are, to say the least, extreme. Of course, you don't run at 4 in the morning, but having to change time zones and adapt to even more nighttime than Singapore it will be a greater element of stress to bear. In short, until the single-seaters are put on the track there will be no answers, but the "paper" does not bode well. Self Liberty he really wants to extend the event contract until 2032, will have to consider drastic changes regarding dates and times so as not to jeopardize the health of the pilots, as well as what once again proves to be favored: the show.
SOURCE: sport.virgilio.it
