The Las Vegas GP is the new crown jewel on the Formula 1 calendar. Liberty Media wants it to be the greatest spectacle every year. However, it has already been hit by several factors. Ticket prices have plummeted, largely due to Max Verstappen’s dominance. The cold weather is causing safety concerns for the Pirelli tyres. And now, the pit exit for the race has sparked debate among fans online.
Pit Exit Too Hazardous
The Formula 1 calendar has a variety of pit lanes and pit exits. Most of the time, the pit exit ensures the cars feed into the race in a good position. However, the Las Vegas GP doesn’t seem to be doing so.
The pit exit of the Las Vegas GP feeds into the inside of Turn 1 which is a left-hander. Also, the nature of the corner means that drivers need to hug that apex for the best results. Therefore, whenever someone is coming out of the pit lane they will feed right into the racing line.
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Why is it more absurd?
You might forgive the Las Vegas GP for a compromised pit exit because it’s a street circuit. However, the pit exit is actually one of the few things on the track that are permanent. Formula 1 and Liberty Media bought some disused land for the race which now houses the pit building, hospitality, and the first 4 corners of the race.
Moreover, the weather conditions of the Las Vegas GP are well-known to the public. The weather means that Pirelli is venturing into the unknown. Nobody knows how these new Pirelli tyres will react to those extreme temperatures.
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Much Ado Over Nothing?
A Formula 1 car coming out of the pits with cold tyres versus a car trying to hit the apex of Corner 1 at full tilt is not something Liberty Media wants to see.
However, the Abu Dhabi pit exit caused a similar uproar when it was announced. Yet, in all these years, we have never had an incident there. Hopefully, the Las Vegas GP goes the same way.
