F1 Las Vegas GP Under Threat As Emergency Alert Issued Days Before Event
This weekend's Las Vegas Grand Prix is under threat after an emergency alert was issued just days before the Formula 1 weekend.
F1 is set to return to the streets of Las Vegas for the third consecutive year, and it will do so with the world championship battle finely poised.
Lando Norris currently leads the standings on 390 points, 24 ahead of his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, while reigning world champion Max Verstappen sits on 341.
Including this weekend in Las Vegas, there are only three race weekends left this season, making Sunday's race all the more important.
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However, the race may be under threat, with Nevada expected to receive heavy rainfall in the days leading up to the weekend.
A flood alert was issued on Monday, and is expected to remain in place until at Wednesday.
In a video circulating on social media, streets can be seen overflowing with water.
Although heavy rain is not uncommon in Nevada, the state's monsoon season typically runs from June to September, making storms in mid-November highly unusual.
The weather is expected to improve by the end of the week and should not heavily impact the racing itself.
There is a 31% chance of showers during Friday's practice sessions, but they are expected to clear by Saturday.
Sunday's race is not expected to be affected.
While the racing itself should be fine, the flooded streets have complicated preparations.
Organisers are now assessing the impact on safety, logistics and access to the track.
According to F1 in General, if water slows preparations, F1 may be forced to delay or change plans for the weekend.
Las Vegas has hosted Formula 1 races before, but 2023 was the first time the city had held a race since the 1982 Caesars Palace Grand Prix.
When it returned in 2023, it was initially only on a three-year deal, but that agreement has now been extended until 2027.
The street race is held at night and features a 1.9 kilometre stretch down the famous Las Vegas Strip.
In 2023, Max Verstappen claimed victory, with Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez completing the podium.
Last year's race was won by George Russell, with Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz finishing in the top three.
McLaren have struggled since Formula 1 returned to Las Vegas, with championship leader Norris crashing out in 2023 and finishing only sixth last year.
Ahead of this race, Norris expressed concern that the cold conditions in Las Vegas could hold back his car.
Topics: Formula 1, Lando Norris, Max Verstappen
James Taylor