{"id":96238,"date":"2023-11-19T06:24:38","date_gmt":"2023-11-19T06:24:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stopsmokingway.com\/?p=96238"},"modified":"2023-11-19T06:24:38","modified_gmt":"2023-11-19T06:24:38","slug":"drivers-make-their-way-to-the-track-for-the-las-vegas-grand-prix","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stopsmokingway.com\/racing\/drivers-make-their-way-to-the-track-for-the-las-vegas-grand-prix\/","title":{"rendered":"Drivers make their way to the track for the Las Vegas Grand Prix"},"content":{"rendered":"
Drivers in the Las Vegas Grand Prix have been rolling in just hours before the start of the first race ever held under the lights of The Strip.<\/p>\n
After sparks flew – both figuratively and, in the case of Carlos Sainz, literally – in the two full practice sessions and qualifying, the drivers are now ready to get to racing at this new street circuit.<\/p>\n
Of all the drivers that rocked up for the occasion, only Lewis Hamilton seemed dressed for the part.<\/p>\n
He arrived in a gold bedazzled jacket and pants combination as the Mercedes driver seems set for a tough race.<\/p>\n
The rest of the field arrived in much more subdued outfits – either something casual or team wear.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton arrives at the track for the Las Vegas Grand Prix<\/p>\n
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Red Bull drivers Max Verstappen (L) and Sergio Perez (R) make their way to the paddock<\/p>\n
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Williams driver Logan Sargeant prepares for the third grand prix in his native United States<\/p>\n
The circuit will be raced on for the first time by these Formula One cars – with no minor support series races taking place in Las Vegas.<\/p>\n
That means these cars are the first to go full throttle on the circuit that has already seen major problems.<\/p>\n
Back in Thursday’s FP1 session, a manhole cover was sucked up by the Ferrari of Sainz and destroyed his car’s floor. He’ll be hit with a grid penalty because of the necessary repairs he needed.<\/p>\n
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen – the confirmed World Driver’s Champion – has been critical of this event as a whole and it’s attention paid to off-track amenities more than on-track excitement.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He’s come under fire for calling the grand prix ’99 percent show and one percent sporting event’.\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Valtteri Bottas wears in a Vegas Golden Knights jersey during the drivers parade<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez are sharing a ride before the Las Vegas Grand Prix<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen takes part in the drivers parade before the Las Vegas GP<\/p>\n
The race will also serve as a third and final ‘home grand prix’ this season for American driver Logan Sargeant of Williams.<\/p>\n
The drivers parade saw Valtteri Bottas don a Vegas Golden Knights hockey jersey with his number on it.<\/p>\n
It also saw Hamilton and Red Bull rival Sergio Perez sharing a vehicle during the drivers parade as Verstappen rode by himself.<\/p>\n
Just before the start of the race, at least one of the classic cars in the driver’s parade leaked oil over the starting grid.\u00a0<\/p>\n