Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez have given a list of idea they would like to see changed for next year’s 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix after the inaugural event at the weekend.
Whilst Saturday night’s Las Vegas GP may have produced an exciting race, the weekend itself had been offset by off-track problems, which saw FP1 cut short due to loose manhole covers.
Fans were then kicked out of their seats just minutes into FP2, with disgruntled spectators filing a lawsuit against the organisers and the state of Nevada for $30,000 worth of damages.
The weekend schedule, designed to cater to television audiences, also came under intense criticism due to drivers and team personnel suffering from tiredness due to the late-night starts and early-morning finishes.
“I think mostly the fact we have been driving so late, I can see the point, with the audience in Europe, I don’t know if that’s the point why we have been racing so late,” explained Leclerc when asked what he would change for the 2024 Las Vegas GP.
“But I felt like it was a bit on the limit, and also, for the temperatures, it was very tricky, so this is definitely one thing I would like to change for next year.
“On the other hand, as I’ve said since the beginning of the weekend, I really enjoyed it, and I am especially happy to see that we finished this weekend on a high note. It was hurting me to see the sport that I love so much starting from the wrong foot on Thursday.
“But the fact that we had an amazing race, I think, makes it all up, and I’m happy with that. So yeah, not much more to change apart from the timing.”
Moving Vegas to the final race would be better
There will be little time for the teams and drivers to recharge as the Formula 1 circus quickly packs up and heads to the United Arab Emirates for the 2023 Abu Dhabi GP this week.
Abu Dhabi will be the 2023 season’s curtain closer after a gruelling season which has seen the teams race on five continents over eight months.
The 2024 Las Vegas GP is scheduled for November 23 and will kickstart the final triple-header of the season with the Qatar GP on December 1 and the Abu Dhabi GP on December 8.
“For me, I think [it] was a great first event, but I just [have] to think that we have to now go to Abu Dhabi,” explained Perez. “Probably the longest distance that we have to travel in the whole year.
“So, probably look at it and make Vegas a final race, that will also be very nice for me, you know, I’m only two hours away from Guadalajara. So that will be a nice end!”
