Can Mercedes bounce back at the Las Vegas GP after a tough race in Brazil? Explore how track characteristics, cold conditions, and a focus on 2025 development could impact their performance under the neon lights of the Strip.
After a disappointing weekend in Brazil, Mercedes will be looking to turn their fortunes around this weekend at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
At the Grand Prix in 2023, Mercedes were lucky to salvage a P7 and P8 after multiple hurdles to jump over. This time around certain conditions may allow Mercedes to be the third force on the grid this weekend. However, recent form may suggest otherwise.
Circuit characteristics
The 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix boasted speeds that almost matched those made at Monza, the ‘temple of speed.’
Section 3 is where speeds are marvellous as the F1 cars race through the Strip. Turn 13 is located about a third of the way down the Strip, and is immediately followed by a DRS zone. Down that straight, speeds surpassing 210 mph (337kph) were reached.
This stretch is the second-longest straight on the F1 calendar, trailing only Baku.
As a night race in the desert during winter months, the temperatures are quite low. This year, the average temperature is expected to be 8° Celsius.
How the conditions might fare for Mercedes
Mercedes had a difficult season in 2023, with Las Vegas being one of their least memorable races.
The W14 suffered all season long with poor straight-line speed. The W14 had about a 10 km/h deficit on a straight line. Meanwhile, Mercedes customer team Williams were one of the fastest on the straight line all season. That obviously did not bode well for the Silver Arrows, seeing as Las Vegas has three long straights, one of which is the second-longest straight on the calendar.
Having suffered from tyre degradation in Brazil of all places, Mercedes were more than expected to struggle in the conditions served up at Las Vegas. They struggled to get tyres up to temperature, especially Hamilton who started the race on the Hards.
The 8-time World Champions suffered from the cold temperatures, significant deficits on the straights as well as on-track incidents that cost them places and time penalties. While their race pace showed promise, it wasn’t enough to overcome their weaknesses.
This year, however, may be different.
Mercedes’ approach to 2024 was to improve their straight-line speed. It has been a successful attempt thus far. The W15, with all its flaws, has superior straight-line speed. Not to mention, the W15 has performed well in cooler conditions.
Considering the healthy amount of straights on the track, as well as the cold temperatures all throughout the weekend, things may well work out for the Austrian outfit.
Challenges may however present themselves for Mercedes at certain sections of the track. Despite improving straight-line speed this year, Mercedes suffers deficits in slow-speed corners. Turns 1-3, 7-9 and 12 – the slowest on the Las Vegas circuit – are likely to expose this weakness.
Another testing ground?
The Brackley-based team will not be bringing upgrades to the Las Vegas GP. At the Mexican Grand Prix, Mercedes ran their last set of upgrades of the 2024 season – upgrades that were first introduced in Austin. Since the Sao Paulo Grand Prix two weeks ago, Toto Wolff’s team switched their focus to their 2025 package.
In Brazil, they run unspecified tests on the W15, with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton running different specifications – all with an eye on 2025. The three remaining races, the Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix will see Mercedes continue to pursue setups that will contribute to their 2025 car, the W16.
The team had to run lower rides in Brazil due to intense bouncing (particularly on Hamilton’s car) which sacrificed their straight-line speed advantage. If the tests run by the team this weekend bring out an unbalanced and low-riding car for a second race running, Mercedes may be well far from the fight out front.
