Las Vegas F1 weather: How cold is the forecast for Grand Prix weekend?

The Las Vegas Formula 1 Grand Prix — one of the sport's most anticipated events in recent history — is finally here.

F1 has not raced in Sin City since 1982, but this weekend, the world's fastest drivers and cars have returned in what is set to be a motorsport spectacle.

However, with a brand new track, there are plenty of question marks: notably, regarding the weather.

Las Vegas weather: Cold temperatures forecast for F1 Grand Prix

While Las Vegas is generally known for its warm weather, its desert location means temperatures drop significantly at night.

“It is gonna be cold," McLaren CEO Zak Brown told SB Nation earlier in the season.

"I think that might be the coldest race on the calendar."

Initially, there were fears temperatures could drop to as low as 4º C (39º F).

However, while conditions will still be rather chilly, they are unlikely to be extreme.

According to weather.com, we are set for a low of 9º C (49º F) on the night of the race.

Las Vegas F1 Grand Prix: Weather forecast

What is the coldest F1 race in history?

The coldest temperature ever recorded in F1 history was at the Canadian Grand Prix in 1978.

It dropped to a brisk 5º C (41º F) in early October in Montreal.

Las Vegas F1 track layout

A temporary street circuit, the Las Vegas track poses some potential challenges for teams and drivers to navigate, particularly if temperatures are cool.

The track features three straights — one which spans two kilometres down the main strip — and 17 corners.

Drivers rely on warm tires for grip, so cold weather and lengthy stretches without turns could see Formula 1 cars resemble Bambi on ice if precautions aren't taken.

Here's the track layout for Las Vegas 🤩

The circuit will see cars race past Caesars Palace, the Bellagio fountains and Mandalay Bay, with the strip being used as a 2km straight. pic.twitter.com/5TbNqrXijB

— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) March 31, 2022

Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz believes the unknown nature of the track and weather will make for an unpredictable weekend.

"The big thing there ... will be the temperature and how the tires behave in those temperatures,” Sainz said in October.

"Also, given the track layout – very long straights – so, a tire will cool down on those straights and then getting into a corner on a very low downforce setting, like we’re expecting in Vegas, on a cold tyre, on a new surface, I think there could be many variables for tyres and temperatures in general to be a big talking point that weekend.

"And graining, if it’s very cold like we’ve seen in winter testing… I think those are the things we will be keeping an eye on.

"But until we get there, you can be as prepared as you want, but until you see what happens in the car, you cannot react."

Las Vegas F1 race start time, schedule

The main race will start at 10:00 pm local time, while qualifying is scheduled for midnight. 

As a reference, most races on the calendar are held in the mid-afternoon. 

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