22 de noviembre de 2024

Controversy Hits the Las Vegas Grand Prix The 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix has grabbed attention not only for the spectacle of the Sin City but also for an unexpected detail: the strong smell of marijuana around the circuit. Several drivers, including Mexico’s Sergio «Checo» Pérez, have expressed their discomfort with the constant aroma during the initial practice sessions. «The smell is unbelievable»: Checo Pérez Checo Pérez, Red Bull driver, pointed out that the cannabis odor was noticeable throughout the urban circuit. «What really stands out across the entire track is the smell of marijuana all night. I’m getting a bit tired of it; the amount is unbelievable. It’s something all the drivers will surely talk about,» Pérez commented after completing the first free practice sessions, where he finished 10th and 19th. The Mexican driver, who secured third place in last year’s race, is already facing a tough weekend due to his team’s performance struggles. However, the marijuana smell has added an unexpected twist to the event. Reactions from Other Drivers Argentinian driver Franco Colapinto also commented on the situation. «Yes, there was a smell of weed. If they gave us doping tests now, I think we’d all test positive. I swear,» Colapinto stated, emphasizing how unusual the experience was for an event of this caliber. The Las Vegas street race, famous for its glamour and being held amidst the city’s hustle and bustle, has exposed some of the excesses associated with the location. This time, the cannabis aroma seems to have become part of the ambiance. Las Vegas: A Challenge On and Off the Track With the race scheduled for Sunday, the Formula 1 drivers are gearing up to tackle the urban circuitunder the city’s iconic lights. However, the unexpected «ingredient» of the marijuana smell has sparked debate among competitors, who claim this issue has not arisen at other circuits. Checo Pérez and his team will aim to improve their qualifying positions and prove their skills on one of the most unique tracks on the calendar. Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Grand Prix continues to reflect the extravagance and excess that define the city. The marijuana odor situation in Las Vegas is yet another reminder of the peculiarities that can arise at an event combining high-stakes competition with such a distinctive environment.  

Logistical Issues Put Red Bull at a Disadvantage Red Bull Racing faces an unexpected challenge at the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix after arriving with the wrong rear wing configuration for the circuit, which is designed to prioritize high-speed performance on long straights. This logistical error could hinder the team’s performance until the correct wings arrive, scheduled for Saturday morning. Performance Impacted During Free Practice In the first free practice sessions, the disadvantage of Red Bull’s drivers was evident: Max Verstappen, the championship leader, placed 17th, while Sergio Pérez finished 19th. Both struggled significantly due to the use of a high-downforce wing, designed for technical circuits, which drastically reduced their top speed.     According to measurements, Red Bull’s cars were up to 7 km/h slower than their main competitors in the speed traps, a critical disadvantage on a track where straight-line acceleration is paramount. Improvised Solutions Fall Short Team advisor Helmut Marko confirmed that Red Bull does not have an alternative rear wingavailable in Las Vegas, and the chances of receiving the correct parts in time from England are slim. To address the issue, engineers made adjustments to the current rear wing, removing the Gurney flap and trimming part of the trailing edge. However, these modifications did not significantly close the gap with rivals like McLaren and Mercedes. «We are at a disadvantage without a wing designed for this circuit. Although we’ve tried to adapt, we’re still far behind,» admitted Marko, acknowledging the difficulty of competing on equal footing.     Time Running Out The correct rear wings are expected to arrive on Saturday, leaving little time for installation and testing before qualifying. This setback puts the team in a tough position, forcing them to explore creative alternatives to maximize performance with the resources at hand. Impact on the Championship Battle For Verstappen, the error may not significantly impact his already secured championship title. However, for Sergio Pérez, who is fighting to maintain second place in the standings, the delay in receiving the correct parts could prove crucial to his performance over the weekend.     The Las Vegas Grand Prix presents an unexpected challenge for a team accustomed to dominating the grid. Can Red Bull overcome this logistical hurdle and adapt to the circuit’s demands? Only time will tell.  

A Milestone for Motorsport Courtney Crone, a 23-year-old driver with Mexican heritage, is set to make history in motorsport by joining the Haas team in the F1 Academy for the 2025 season. Although born in California, her connection to Mexico comes from her grandmother, and Crone has proudly celebrated her roots throughout her career.     The F1 Academy, a category created to showcase the world’s best female drivers, will be the stage where Crone demonstrates her talent following a successful debut as a Wild Card at the Miami Grand Prix 2024 with PREMA Racing. Crone’s Career Journey From a young age, Courtney Crone showed a passion for motorsport, starting her journey in karting competitions and advancing to renowned series like IMSA Racing. In IMSA, she was part of the Driver Diversity Development Program, which supported her growth as an athlete and professional. In 2024, Crone dedicated a special message during Cinco de Mayo, highlighting her pride in representing Mexico in every race. «Carrying the Mexican flag on my racing suit means so much to me. I know my grandmother would be proud,» she shared on her social media platforms. From Wild Card to Full-Time Driver Crone’s debut in the F1 Academy as a special guest at the Miami Grand Prix marked a turning point in her career. After that experience, she set her sights on joining the category full-time, a dream that has now come true.     «Since my participation in Miami, I knew I wanted to compete full-time in this category. I’m thrilled about the opportunity Haas has given me and focused on making the most of it,» Crone expressed. Haas: The Chosen Team The Haas team will be responsible for supporting Crone in this new chapter. The driver expressed gratitude to the team for trusting her talent and committing to the project. Her main goal will be to meet expectations and prove her ability to compete at the highest level. Impact on Women in Motorsport Courtney Crone’s arrival in the F1 Academy is not just a personal achievement but also a significant step forward for women in motorsport and the representation of Mexico in the sport. Her story inspires new generations of women to pursue their dreams in a discipline historically dominated by men. With a combination of experience, determination, and pride in her roots, Crone is ready to make her mark in the 2025 F1 Academy season.  

The Las Vegas Grand Prix (GP) nearly had just 19 drivers on the grid. This was due to a setback faced by Yuki Tsunoda, from Visa RB, that almost kept him out of the race, Las Vegas, and the United States altogether. The Japanese driver was detained by immigration officers at the Las Vegas airport. Authorities held Tsunoda in an isolated room for almost three hours, and according to the driver, he was on the verge of missing the GP and being sent back home. After discussions between both parties, Yuki managed to enter the country for the next race, expressing surprise at how strict they were about his entry, which led to his temporary detention. He was never given a clear reason, but Tsunoda believes it might have been due to his attire: “I was wearing pajamas, so maybe I didn’t look like an F1 driver,” the racer commented. You might be interested in: VERSTAPPEN BUSCA CONSAGRARSE EN LAS VEGAS Y ASEGURAR SU CUARTO TÍTULO Cover photo: X (@yukitsunoda07)