Formula One F1 - Las Vegas Grand Prix - Las Vegas Strip Circuit, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. - November 15, 2023 AlphaTauri's Daniel Ricciardo talks to the media ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix REUTERS/Finn Blake Acquire Licensing RightsLAS VEGAS, Nov 15 (Reuters) - Las Vegas is a 24-hour city but the Formula One drivers facing a schedule that will see them racing into the early morning hours said on Wednesday that they will need to find another gear at the Grand Prix.
Friday's qualifying will not begin until midnight local time, meaning it will take place on the same day as Saturday's 10 p.m. race down the Las Vegas Strip, with media obligations following both events.
"If I'm tired I'm just going to sleep and if I'm in the car, I'm just going to drink Red Bull.
Asked if Verstappen could be more vulnerable in Las Vegas, Alonso did not hesitate.
Drivers said the late night starts in Las Vegas could have a knock on effect when they head to Abu Dhabi the following weekend.
Persons:
AlphaTauri's Daniel Ricciardo, Finn Blake, I'm, Red, It's, Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso, Max Verstappen, Alonso, Haas, Nico Hulkenberg, Rory Carroll, Miral
Organizations:
Las Vegas, Las Vegas Strip, Las Vegas Grand Prix REUTERS, LAS VEGAS, Las, U.S, Drivers, Thomson
Locations:
Las Vegas , Nevada, U.S, Vegas, LA, Las Vegas, Abu Dhabi, Los Angeles