Lewis Hamilton believes the cold desert temperatures will pose the biggest challenge for drivers at this weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Formula 1 returns to The Strip for the first time in 41 years, with Hamilton and Co facing a new, 3.8-mile track around Sin City.
Vegas is famed for its sweltering summer heat but on Saturday night temperatures are forecast to be as low as 49 degrees.
That marks a break from the typical conditions on raceday around this time of year and Hamilton believes the elements could pose more problems for drivers than anything else.
‘I think the biggest challenge is going to be the temperature,’ he said.
Lewis Hamilton believes the cold will pose the biggest challenge at the Las Vegas Grand Prix
‘This is probably the coldest race we’ve done in a long, long time.’
Hamilton is confident he can cope with the change in conditions, however, because he grew up fighting the cold from behind the wheel.
‘Usually you’re in hotter climates so this is chilly. But I raced when I was younger in cold climates like this – in Scotland and around the UK,’ he said at a IWC x Mercedes AMG event.
‘But it’ll be interesthing this weekend. Also it’s a new circuit, we only have a short amount of time to learn it so I’m excited.’
Formula One returns to The Strip for the first time in 41 years, with a new 3.8-mile track
Hamilton and his Mercedes teammates have been banned from the casinos ahead of the race – as the British star looks to secure second place from Sergio Perez.
Max Verstappen has already won the world title, meaning Hamilton’s best case scenario this season is to finish behind him in second spot – which is currently occupied by the Dutchman’s Red Bull team-mate Perez.
As they look to finish the season on a high, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has urged the team to stay focused and has banned them from gambling.
‘I’ve never been to Las Vegas, but we’ll do our best to make sure everyone in the team stays away from the casinos,’ he told MotorSport.com. ‘I don’t gamble and I’ll make sure no one else gambles either!’
(L-R) Toto Wolff, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell at the IWC x Mercedes AMG event
