Lewis Hamilton has made it clear he wants F1 chiefs to ‘look after people’ as Sunday’s Las Vegas Grand Prix moves closer.

The Briton will go into the race in America hoping for a first victory since 2021.

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell have offered insights into the 2024 Mercedes car developments, expressing shared optimism that the challenges faced this season will be effectively addressed in the upcoming season – with the former admitting that the season has been ‘killer’.

The Mercedes team had an unfortunate Brazilian Grand Prix, with Hamilton finishing in eighth place and Russell unable to complete the race due to overheating issues.

In what Toto Wolff described as a ‘miserable’, the team has decided to shift focus from Brazil towards the future, making 2024 their top priority.

Attending the driver press conference at 10pm on Wednesday following the Las Vegas GP’s opening ceremony, Sergio Perez has joked he’s going to hit up Lewis Hamilton for a few sleeping pills.

From the beginning, this weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix set out to do something different, something that includes a Saturday night race.

That’s made for an interesting schedule with qualifying taking place at midnight on Saturday and then, less than 24 hours later, the drivers will be back on the track for Saturday night’s 10pm start for the Grand Prix.

Lewis Hamilton has ‘no problem’ with jetlag

The crazy hours have been criticised by some drivers who have complained about jetlag, Fernando Alonso making it clear “it is not okay”.

But he added, this is “a tough sport, this is not football”.

As the drivers voiced their concerns there was one who stood apart, Hamilton.

“I personally have not found any problem. I’ve still managed to keep the training up and I feel great at this point in the year,” said the Mercedes driver.

“I saw the drivers in there before all complaining about the jet lag. I mean, jet lag is something that’s probably can get all of us but I’ve not found it a problem since I’ve been here.

“It is demanding but we know that entering the sport, we know what a season entails. And there’s three back-to-backs, so definitely tough but if it was easy, everyone would do it.

“I think I’ve always just tried to be conscious of like the mechanics and all the people that work, everyone in this room, and everyone in the teams that are moving around and away from their families a lot.

“That’s probably the hardest thing from their perspective but that they wouldn’t want to be anywhere else and I’m pretty sure they love what they do. As do I.”

Sleeping pills and caffeine shots

That had Sergio Perez joking he’ll turn to the Briton for a solution.

“We’ll ask Lewis for some of his pills! He seems to be the only one not suffering with it,” said the Red Bull driver.

“But no for me, I’m used to it. I come from Mexico so I spent so much time on the jetlag. So I’m used to it.”

Nico Hulkenberg says jetlag is part of the sport and affects all the drivers in some way.

“You just got the big time difference, and we’ll probably face jetlag, some suffer more than others.

“It’s going to be a challenge, and maybe you’re not going to feel super sharp on Friday or Saturday but I think it’s the same for all of us and we have to manage, cope the best we can.”

Carlos Sainz says he’ll be resorting to caffeine to help him come Sunday.

“I think come Friday, Saturday, Sunday, caffeine shots, espressos, or adrenaline of driving an F1 car normally removes the jet lag.

“I struggle more these days, long Thursdays. This is where I start to struggle a bit more.”

That the drivers and team members will have to hop onto a plane on Sunday or Monday and make the 11-hour flight to Abu Dhabi – if they can get a direct flight – won’t help the situation.

Toto Wolff and Lewis Hamilton seem to be at odds over whether Mercedes can challenge Red Bull over the next few years.

Toto Wolff has appeared to contradict Lewis Hamilton’s claim that Mercedes will not catch Red Bull until the 2026 regulation changes in Formula One. Red Bull and Max Verstappen have been dominant since rule changes were made at the start of 2022, winning 35 of 45 Grands Prix.

Verstappen has claimed the World Drivers’ Championship for the third consecutive year, leaving the likes of Hamilton, George Russell and Charles Leclerc trailing way behind. The Dutchman is a huge 266 points ahead of second-placed Red Bull colleague Sergio Perez in the drivers’ standings.

Many within the sport have predicted that Red Bull’s dominance will continue until fresh regulations are introduced in 2026. Red Bull took advantage of the most recent regulation change in 2022, being the fastest team to build a car capable of winning championships.

But Wolff believes that Mercedes can work hard to ensure Red Bull do not blow away the sport for the next three years. “We’re giving it all to break the cycle,” the Mercedes team principal told Bloomberg.

“We had five years of dominance of Ferrari, then we had a spell of Red Bull, and then it was us eight times in a row, and now it’s the second Constructors Championship for Red Bull, or the third drivers championship with a very good driver.

So, with all we have, back in the factory and at the racetrack, we’re trying to come up with a car and with an execution that is as good as it can be, and we have a next cycle of regulatory engine in 2026, we’ve got to turn this around.”

It comes after Mercedes driver Hamilton agreed with Ferrari star Leclerc’s prediction that Red Bull could dominate until 2026.

“For sure they have a really big margin and it’s going to be very difficult to catch them before the change of regulations,” Leclerc said.

Asked if he agreed with Leclerc’s assessment, the seven-time world champion Hamilton said: “The fact is they are ahead, and most likely have been developing next year’s car already a month before everybody else as they’re 100, 200 points ahead in the championship.

“So it’s very, very possible that Charles could be right, but we’re working on the steep gradient trying to develop, and get ourselves to close the gap. Whether or not we can next year will be proof within that, I hope we can.”

Lewis Hamilton is looking forward to the Las Vegas Grand Prix, with Mercedes chief Toto Wolff vowing to “make sure” no one from his team gambles while in Vegas

Lewis Hamilton expects this weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix to be a “wild experience”, with the race taking place on a street circuit that includes a section on the infamous Sin City strip.

It is the first time a Formula 1 race has taken place in Vegas since 1982 and Hamilton is hoping he can score enough points in the final two races of the season to pip Red Bull ‘s Sergio Perez to second in the driver standings.

And the seven-time world champion is looking forward to a unique race weekend in Vegas. “I just don’t understand how we’re gonna move around that place, I don’t even know how I’m gonna get from the track to the hotel,” he told Sky Sports

“It’s going to be such a compact spot with so many people, but I think it’s gonna be a wild experience. The best thing is just to go with an open mind and not have any pre-determined ideas of what it’s going to be like and just take it all in when you get there.

“Driving in the nightlights I’m going to feel like I’m in the Casino movie! It’s pretty cool. People are going to be coming from all over for the Grand Prix. It’s great that each city here in America gives a different atmosphere but the one thing is they’ve amazing fans, hardcore sporting fans.

“It’s such a huge place and there’s something for everyone here. If you want to be in the mountains, you want to be in countryside, you want to be in the city… You’ve got New York which I think is the coolest city ever and Vegas which is kind of a big playground for adults.

“It’s going to be mad! It’s going to be interesting to see how you can stay focused.” Mercedes chief Toto Wolff has banned his staff and drivers from gambling while they are in Vegas, telling Motorsport.com : “I think everyone is looking forward to the Las Vegas race.

“Racing in this city is comparable to climbing Everest, hats off to Liberty Media for organising this race. I don’t think I’m the only one in Formula One who has never been to this city, which is quite difficult to get around.

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Lewis Hamilton has conceded that the W14 might not win a race during the 2023 Formula 1 season, after a difficult outing in Brazil.

The seven-time World Champion was optimistic they had found performance following the United States and Mexico Grands Prix, after the team fitted their last big updates of the season.

But the race in São Paulo confirmed Mercedes is still suffering from problems with the W14, with Team Principal Toto Wolff branding it their worst outing in 13 years.

Hamilton also did not hold back after the race, claiming that Red Bull would continue to dominate until the 2026 rule changes.

Expectations are high for this weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix, with months of preparation set to be unveiled on the iconic Strip through the city centre. With just two races remaining of the season, drivers will be keen to bow out of 2023 on a high – though there is plenty for them to overcome if they are to reign victorious in Nevada.

McLaren chief Zak Brown has talked up the race and the exposure that F1 will receive from such an event, telling The Telegraph: “It’s going to be the biggest grand prix ever. The largest sporting event in the world this year.

“Only the World Cup and the Olympics surpass Formula One in exposure, and they’re not annual events. I can’t think of an event that’s been as anticipated as the Las Vegas Grand Prix in any sport this year.”

However, not everyone is entirely positive about the upcoming race. Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton has spoken out about the imminent uncertainty surrounding the event and the logistics of hosting a race in Vegas, with locals also hitting out at the disruption that they are having to endure for the remainder of the week.

After Liberty Media’s CEO Greg Maffei extended an apology to the residents of Las Vegas for the inconveniences caused by the preparation for the city’s first Grand Prix since 1982, Lewis Hamilton relayed concerns from locals about the impact of the Formula 1 event on their lives.

Key Takeaways:

• Hamilton’s Insight: Lewis Hamilton shared insights about the local residents’ displeasure regarding the F1 weekend in Las Vegas. He emphasised the need for respect and care towards the locals, highlighting the contrast between the event’s glamour and the potential negative impacts on the community.
• Liberty Media’s Apology: Greg Maffei, CEO of Liberty Media, formally apologised to Las Vegas residents. He acknowledged the challenges they faced due to the Grand Prix preparations, expressing gratitude for their tolerance and patience.
• Economic Perspective: Despite the immediate inconveniences, Maffei pointed out the significant economic benefits the event is expected to bring to Las Vegas, estimating around $1.7 billion in revenue. He expressed hope for smoother operations in future editions of the race.
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Formula 1’s return to Las Vegas has been met with mixed reactions, particularly from the local community. Lewis Hamilton, a prominent figure in the sport, voiced the concerns of Las Vegas residents about the upcoming F1 weekend. In a conversation with Sky Sports, Hamilton stressed the importance of respecting the locals, who are hard at work amidst the preparations. He critically noted the contrast between the industry’s wealth and the potential negative impacts on the local community.

Liberty Media, the entity behind Formula 1, has stepped in to address these concerns. The company’s CEO, Greg Maffei, offered a formal apology to the residents of Las Vegas during an interview with Fox5 Vegas.

In summary, amidst the excitement of F1’s return to Las Vegas, the concerns of the local community have been brought to the forefront, with Liberty Media acknowledging and addressing these issues.