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Euan Leith's preview of the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix for F1 Fantasy includes weather updates, differentials for your squads, and predictions for qualifying and the Grand Prix.
Happy Las Vegas GP, RotoBallers! It's the second iteration of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, and hopefully, all the manhole covers have been bolted down. Last year, Carlos Sainz hit one in Free Practice 1, which caused some limited running for teams in the race's inaugural edition.
McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull are all expected to battle it out for the top spot come the early hours of Sunday morning. The track is set up for Italian dominance this weekend, but if you've been watching this season, you know there will be some surprises come race time.
The deadline for the Brazilian GP in F1 Fantasy is Saturday, November 23, at 1:00 a.m. Eastern, when the Sprint race starts. Also, check out the rest of our excellent DFS racing coverage to get you through every NASCAR and Formula 1 race.
Previous Las Vegas Grand PrixWinners
- 2023: Max Verstappen, Red Bull
Las Vegas Grand Prix Schedule
Thursday, November 21st
- Free Practice 1: 9:30 p.m. ET
Friday, November 22nd
- Free Practice 2: 01:00 a.m. ET
- Free Practice 3: 9:30 p.m. ET
Saturday, November 23rd
- Qualifying: 01:00 a.m. ET (***F1 Fantasy lineup lock***)
Sunday, November 24th
- Race: 01:00 a.m. ET
There's a #F1Fantasy mini-league available this weekend.
If you've got any limitless chips available in a T2 or T3 squad, you should burn them this weekend and try to win tickets to the 2025 #LasVegasGP https://t.co/LZM68CrS4b pic.twitter.com/ViDX3CWmlG
— Euan Leith (@F1FantasyEuan) November 19, 2024
Las Vegas Grand Prix Weather
With all the racing in the evening, tire grip will be lower than F1 drivers are used to. Getting the rubber to temperature will be critical in Qualifying and the race for all 10 teams. Thursday's data in Free Practice 2 will give us a good idea of where the teams are regarding setup.
Thursday Evening Weather
Friday Evening Weather
Saturday Evening Weather
F1 Fantasy Chip Strategy
In F1 Fantasy, many of our chips should be deployed on Sprint race weekends. Unfortunately, the Las Vegas Grand Prix is not one of those weekends. However, F1 Fantasy managers should be bold in deploying these precious boosts with three races left.
No Negative
This is only the second-ever running of this race, so there could be some unknowns about the track. Lando Norris DNF'd early in last year's Grand Prix and has only run a limited amount around the Las Vegas Strip Circuit. So, if you have the No Negative remaining, I don't mind using it here.
Extra DRS
Managers should keep this chip in their back pockets for the Qatar Grand Prix next weekend. It's a Sprint Race weekend, so there will be more opportunities to earn points in the Middle East.
Auto Pilot
If you are still determining which team will win, applying the Auto Pilot chip to your F1 Fantasy roster is always a good idea. This could be an excellent track for the chip to be used for teams with a combination of Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc.
F1 Fantasy Differentials
Drivers in less than 10 percent of the Global Top 500 are eligible for differential picks. Data courtesy of f1fantasytools.com.
George Russell, Mercedes (2.2% rostered)
The cooler weather on the Las Vegas Strip Circuit should favor the Mercedes engine and car. George Russell also said this is one of his favorite tracks to drive on. The Brit will look to establish himself as the No. 1 driver at the Silver Arrows before Kimi Antonelli arrives in 2025.
Esteban Ocon, Alpine (0.4% rostered)
After a season-best second-place finish in Brazil, Esteban Ocon returns to a track where he finished fourth in 2023. Alpine has been a bit of a tractor all season, but cooler temperatures and a lack of track data for teams to use could allow the French driver and team to cause another late-season surprise in F1 and F1 Fantasy.
Kevin Magnussen, Haas (0.0% rostered)
After an unfortunate illness saw him miss the Brazilian Grand Prix, Kevin Magnussen returns to the grid for the (likely) final three races of his F1 career. Haas has excellent straight-line speed and will take advantage of the long straights down the strip. Expect K-Mag to return with a vengeance as Haas continues to fight for P6 in the Constructor Championship.
Predictions
Qualifying
- Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
- Max Verstappen, Red Bull
- Lando Norris, McLaren
Grand Prix
- Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
- Max Verstappen, Red Bull
- Carlos Sainz, Ferrari
