The Las Vegas Grand Prix is due to take place this weekend, though the build-up to the Formula 1 event has been disrupted by heavy rain which led to flash flooding in some parts of the city
Despite the flash floods that have hit Las Vegas, wet weather is not expected to put a damper on this weekend’s Formula 1 action. The city was drenched with heavy rain on Tuesday, leaving standing water on some streets. Social media was awash with dramatic footage of the flooding, including clips showing standing water on a small section of the street circuit.
Mirror Sport arrived in Las Vegas on Tuesday evening and witnessed cars navigating large puddles several inches deep near Harry Reid International Airport, to the south of the city. However, such scenes are common when sudden downpours hit a city nestled in the heart of the Nevadan desert.
By Wednesday morning, the sun was back out and much of the standing water had evaporated. Mirror Sport visited the Linq Hotel, where many of the more dramatic social media videos were filmed, and found that although there was still some standing and running water, the amount had significantly reduced.
An F1 spokesperson declined to comment when approached by Mirror Sport, but it is understood that there are no worries about the weather impacting this weekend’s track action.
Showers returned on Wednesday afternoon as media day got into full swing. That saw many drivers arrived armed with umbrellas as the circuit received a soaking, but the downpour caused no further issues in terms of creating any standing water on the circuit.
More rain is predicted for Thursday evening, during the first two practice sessions, and Friday morning. However, the forecast suggests conditions will improve as the weekend progresses, with a dry race anticipated on Saturday night local time.
Race organisers are hoping the wet conditions won’t deter spectators during a year when tourism to the gambling hub has fallen. Ticket costs have also been slashed significantly for this third edition of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, with some single-day passes available for as little as £38.
As a consequence, sales are roughly 50 percent up on 2024, and a spokesman confirmed the event is “pacing well for a sell-out”. Supporters will also enjoy additional track activity this year, as the season finale of the all-female F1 Academy series will take place as a supporting event.
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Lando Norris holds the championship lead with a 24-point advantage over team-mate Oscar Piastri, who is running short on time to recapture his peak performance. The Australian driver topped the standings for half a year, but his form has dipped at a crucial moment, with McLaren colleague Norris now the clear favourite for the title.
Max Verstappen remains mathematically in the hunt but would require considerable fortune to catch up now, sitting 49 points behind the leader. The campaign wraps up with the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix following this weekend’s racing in Las Vegas.
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