F1 in Las Vegas: 2024 Poster Reaction + Race Predictions

(If you prefer, you can watch this video instead: F1 in Las Vegas | 2024 Race Predictions)

Formula 1 is back at the Sin City to deliver another banger to this already thrilling 2024 season.

As per traditions, F1 has dropped an official poster:

F1 Las Vegas 2024: Official Poster

Let’s react to that quickly and proceed to make some predictions regarding the performance of the drivers and a few other interesting things about the upcoming race.

F1 2024 Las Vegas: Poster Reaction

They have put Alonso, Norris, Verstappen, Hamilton, and Leclerc on it for the following reasons:

• Fernando: He is the El Padre. Apart from his epic personality, the Americans have recently feigned an interest in him due to the Taylor Swift dating rumors. Moreover, everyone wants to see the Spaniard who stopped Schumi’s championship-winning streak and attracts honeys left, right, and center. What a chad.

• Lando: The “cHaMpiOnShIp CoNtEnDeR” of the season. That’s the only reason they put this lad on the poster. 

• Max: The full-time sim racer and streamer is a great box office draw due to his interviews, meme knowledge, and flawless driving skills. Also, he has some great party songs that go well with the Vegas vibes.

• Lewis: The 7.5x world champion is popular among Americans because he models, dates models, is concerned about the environment, has a private jet, makes ‘music’, and parties with Diddy.

• Charles: Token Ferrari driver. Sainz is #2 anyway and is leaving the team. No F1 poster is complete with a splash of Maranello red.

F1 2024 Las Vegas: Key Driver Predictions

The “key” drivers here are the ones featured on the poster.

• Alonso: Will make it into Q3 but will finish outside the points. The Aston Martin is trash, especially in straights and high-speed circuits. He will just go backward the entire race, which pains me the most. At least we will get some savage radio messages.

• Norris: Will qualify in the second row or pole because McLaren has built a mammoth of an F1 car. But last time out Lando crashed all by himself. This time, combined with luck and lack of talent, he will finish outside the points. The real reason is he will crack under pressure. Out of spite, he will nick the fastest lap in the end and chalk it up to fate.

• Verstappen: With Norris finishing outside the points, as per my prediction, the Dutch driver will go on to win his fourth world title and join the ranks of Vettel and Prost. If he finishes on the podium, the podcast will be lit.

• Hamilton: P8. There will be a lot of porpoising and bouncing in the car, particularly on the straights. He will walk around the paddock holding his back trying to get some comp.

• Leclerc: Outside the points or a podium. Nothing in between. He got a bit unlucky last year but this time the Ferrari curse will get him. In the previous race weekend (Brazil), it was Carlos, so now, it’s Charles’ turn to uphold the tradition.

Other Track Action to Watch for in Las Vegas 2024

• Franco Colapinto will score some points, kicking up discussions among decision-makers in teams to give him a permanent seat in the upcoming season. With Albon’s deteriorating form and lack of championship-level racecraft, it would be funny if his contract is torn apart.

• Ferrari will close the gap to McLaren in the WCC standings, but not by much. Well, it depends on where Leclerc actually finishes. Sainz and Piastri will almost negate each other with the Australian driver outscoring the smooth operation by a few points.

• Oscar Piastri will put in a great drive. I am predicting a race win or a podium finish. Norris will crack under pressure and will make too many mistakes. Considering this is a street circuit and the chances of safety car restarts are high, the Brit will lose a lot of positions throughout the race.

• Lawson and Perez will tangle once again to spice up the intra-team conflict within the Red Bull universe. This would be the third time they will treat us with some hot wheel-to-wheel racing.

Looking Forward: Las Vegas 2024 Will Deliver

Last year, the street circuit that resembles an upside-down pig, has given amazing racing action throughout the grid, throughout the race. Even at the last lap, there were overtaking moves. The one that stood out was Leclerc overtaking Perez for P2 in the dying moments of the race.

The numerous crashes and DNFs made it even more exciting as pit strategies got hairy. The straights and low-speed sections make the track great for passing and re-passing.

As the final triple header is about to begin, it will be great to see the continuation since last year. 

Although the driver’s championship is already decided, there is plenty to play for in the constructor’s standings.

Until next time,

Tara