IT’S RACE WEEK: 5 storylines we’re excited about ahead of the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix

The final run of races of the 2024 season is upon us, and the triple header kicks off with one of the most spectacular events on the calendar. After a two-week break that has delivered plenty of news, here are a few of the topics that are likely to be doing the rounds in Las Vegas...

Verstappen’s championship chances

After his stunning victory in Sao Paulo, Max Verstappen heads to Las Vegas with every chance of being crowned World Champion for the fourth season in a row.

The Dutchman has faced stiff competition from Lando Norris, particularly in the second half of the year after McLaren really hit their stride, but with his win in Brazil he moved 62 points clear of Norris in the standings.

With a maximum of 60 points remaining in the drivers’ championship after Las Vegas (34 in Qatar and 26 in Abu Dhabi), Verstappen’s tally of eight victories this season means he simply needs to leave the United States without losing more than two points to Norris and he’s champion.

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 02: Sprint winner Lando Norris of Great Britain and McLaren and Third — Verstappen could be crowned World Champion for the fourth season in a row in Vegas after a battle with Norris

That means any finish ahead of Norris will secure the title, as will Norris failing to finish inside the top eight. Beyond that, third place with the fastest lap will be enough if Norris is second, or fourth place with the fastest lap if Norris is third.

If Norris is fourth, then P5 is enough for Verstappen, as long as the McLaren driver doesn’t take the extra point for fastest lap, and the Red Bull driver can also finish one place adrift if Norris is fifth, sixth, or seventh, again as long as his closest rival doesn’t set the fastest lap.

Should Norris finish eighth, then Verstappen can win the title by coming home in 10th place and adding the extra point for fastest lap too.

For a simple version: If Norris outscores Verstappen by three points or more, the fight rolls onto the penultimate round in Qatar.

Tense constructors’ battles

While the drivers’ title situation could be resolved this weekend, the constructors’ battle looks like running all the way to the final round in Abu Dhabi. And that’s not just when it comes to who will be champion, either…

In the fight for the title, McLaren lead the way by 36 points from Ferrari, with Red Bull 49 off the lead after closing slightly in Brazil to keep it a three-way battle.

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - OCTOBER 27: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull — McLaren, Ferrari and Red Bull are in a three-way tussle to be crowned constructors' champions

Given one team can pick up a maximum of 44 points in Las Vegas, it’s still all to play for. Qatar also offers more points due to the Sprint, with 59 available there, so all three teams will still have ambitions of taking the championship.

Mercedes and Aston Martin both look set in fourth and fifth respectively, but behind them is another epic scrap for sixth overall. Alpine’s remarkable double-podium in Brazil – the only team to pick up a podium outside of the top four – catapulted them from ninth to sixth, but there are just five points between themselves, Haas and RB with three rounds to go.

Williams have also offered a regular point-scoring threat this season and started with both cars in the top six in Las Vegas last year, so will be hoping to be a factor again after an impressive effort repairing their cars and producing spares following multiple heavy crashes for both drivers in Brazil.

Drivers with uncertain futures

One big piece of the driver market was confirmed in the break since the last race, as Sauber announced Formula 2 championship leader Gabriel Bortoleto will race for the team in 2025.

The addition of the exciting Brazilian means both Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu are left without a drive in 2025 as it stands, with only RB yet to confirm who will be Yuki Tsunoda’s team mate next season.

BAKU, AZERBAIJAN - SEPTEMBER 12: Gabriel Bortoleto of Brazil and Invicta Racing (10) looks on in — Kick Sauber have confirmed Gabriel Bortoleto will be driving for the team from 2025

Adding to the high quality options who are currently still racing is Franco Colapinto, who is about to enter the final three races of his spell as part of the Williams line-up.

Ahead of a big off-season when it comes to driver movement, there are multiple talents who could still be an asset to teams in other roles.

A new Race Director in place

Not only will there be major changes on the grid for 2025, but there was a significant development within race control too last week.

The FIA announced the departure of Race Director Niels Wittich, with the German being replaced by Rui Marques with immediate effect.

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 03: Niels Wittich, FIA Race Director talks on the grid prior to the F1 — FIA Formula 1 Race Director Niels Wittich left his role with immediate effect

Wittich has been the full-time Race Director in Formula 1 since the 2022 Japanese Grand Prix, and prior to that shared the role with Eduardo Freitas, so was well-known to the current drivers. His replacement has extensive motorsport experience as a marshal, scrutineer and Race Director for both F2 and F3, but will take charge of his first grand prix in Las Vegas.

The Race Director is a significant role within F1 and has an important relationship with the drivers, so expect the current 20 to be asked for their thoughts on Marques’ new position ahead of the race weekend.

The second edition of the sport’s newest event

Just as was the case a year ago, the final run of races kicks off in the spectacular setting of Las Vegas, as we race along the iconic Las Vegas Boulevard – or The Strip – under lights.

Last year’s event was a massive showcase of entertainment and brilliant racing, with Verstappen coming out on top of a thrilling fight with Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez that saw the latter two swap positions just a few corners from the end of the race.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 17: Charles Leclerc of Monaco driving the (16) Ferrari SF-23 and — Las Vegas returns after a barnstorming inaugural event in 2023

The newest circuit on the calendar features an extremely long flat-out section along The Strip that leads into a chicane taking cars towards the final corner, providing overtaking opportunities that are also possible under braking for Turn 5 near the Sphere. And with the walls lining the track through some high-speed sections waiting to punish any mistakes, it has all of the ingredients needed to provide another exciting race.

There might just be a few activations and appearances going on, too, if last year’s A-list attendance is anything to go by…