Ex-Formula 1 driver Pedro de la Rosa believes this weekend’s first Las Vegas Grand Prix since 1982 will be “very easy” for the drivers, despite the expected cool temperatures.
Ahead of this weekend’s race, the forecasted cool temperatures have been a big talking point, as the likelihood is that it’ll be the coldest Grand Prix of the season.
This factor added to the fact that it’s an entirely new circuit, has resulted in several drivers predicting that it’ll be an unpredictable race.
However, De La Rosa clearly isn’t sure how true this is, although he does admit that the condensed schedule will be “intense”.
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Whilst the event will take place across three days, the nature of the schedule means that qualifying and the race will both take place on Saturday.
Qualifying will get underway at midnight on the Saturday morning, whilst the race will start at 10pm Saturday night local time.
Dealing with the schedule will be a challenge, although De La Rosa believes the track design will make this “easy” to get on with.
“It’s intense for everyone,” De La Rosa told the F1 Nation podcast.
“But really, it’s not an issue because there’s many things that are for the drivers easy in Las Vegas.”
De La Rosa believes the cooler temperatures will actually help the drivers, as their heart rate will be lower than at most races, whilst the chances of them suffering from dehydration are “non-existent”.
The Spaniard has also pointed out that the circuit consisting of multiple straights means the drivers will have time to “take a breath” and also have a drink.
Overall, the ex-F1 driver is expecting it to be a “very easy” weekend for the drivers.
“The temperature will be helpful. Dehydration levels will be very low or non existent, the cooler it is the easier it is for the driver, the more oxygen there is in the air,” De La Rosa added.
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“So basically your pulse rate becomes lower, and there are long straights in Las Vegas.
“Every long straight means that you take a breath, you have time for a drink. You don’t need to stress yourself for a few seconds.
“So it is very easy. I think it will be an easy track for the race drivers.”