Formula 1: How Las Vegas combines the best of F1 tracks
By Ian Higgins
Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix features: No. 5 – “Singapore Sling”
Inspiration: Singapore, Baku
To break apart the two DRS zones finishing the lap, Formula 1 has taken a heavy dose of inspiration from some fan-favorite pieces of track on the calendar.
Both the infamous “Singapore Sling” and Baku’s castle section utilize tight swapping right and left bends to create an unbelievably tight straight-line run in which drivers can add or remove tenths of a second from their lap times in accordance with their bravery.
The Las Vegas rendition of this track feature continues to incorporate the width of the circuit though. Still to be finalized for construction of the circuit, the current layout of the section leaves an extremely tight straight line which forces drivers to handle the soft-rounded curbs flanking the given apexes.
This will create high-intensity finishes to each qualifying lap as well as a unique dynamic to side by side racing as the drivers hit potentially the heaviest braking zone of the season.
This kind of feature is essential in breaking apart DRS zones and developing gaps between drivers before overtaking opportunities. If this section were to retain its widened layout, it would offer a completely new take on this kind of technical section and would inevitably force plenty of involvement from the stewards in terms of enforcing track limits.