Tyre wear is once again a concern in Las Vegas, a perennial issue due to the cold temperatures: Pirelli’s forecast
The third-to-last weekend of the F1 World Championship is fast approaching. On the eve of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, it’s time for press conferences (see Vasseur’s comments here) and, crucially, for discussions on Pirelli tyres and race strategy.
Since its debut in 2023, the Nevada event has consistently delivered unpredictable races, largely due to the major variable of cold temperatures, typical of the American Southwest during this period. As such, the cold is set to be a significant factor once again in 2025.
Tyre Wear, Anticipated Cold, and Pirelli’s Take
As mentioned, the Las Vegas race has been filled with excitement and dramatic twists since its inaugural event. However, the cold has frequently been the element that mixes up the competitive order, dramatically influencing the outcome in the Sin City.
In 2024, the race was won by the two Mercedes drivers, Russell and Hamilton, securing the Silver Arrows’ only one-two finish of the entire season. This success was notable given Mercedes was generally the fourth-fastest team throughout the year, but they capitalised brilliantly on the extremely low track temperatures of the previous season.
Regarding tyre degradation and the expected cold, Pirelli issued a statement some hours ago:“For the third consecutive year, the selected compounds for the Las Vegas street circuit Grand Prix are C3, C4, and C5. One of the main challenges will be managing tyre temperature, especially during qualifying. The earlier start of the on-track sessions will assist drivers by providing slightly less harsh conditions, which should help warm up the tyres “.
Regarding the expected degradation: ““For the third consecutive year, the selected compounds for the Las Vegas street circuit Grand Prix are C3, C4, and C5. One of the main challenges will be managing tyre temperature, especially during qualifying. The earlier start of the on-track sessions will assist drivers by providing slightly less harsh conditions, which should help warm up the tyres “.
Finally, the reasoning for selecting the same compounds as 2024:
“The decision not to opt for an even softer trio is linked to the risk that graining, which has been present since the first edition, could excessively compromise the effectiveness of the softest compound in the current range“.
Photo: Press Pirelli.com, Oracle Red Bull Racing
