Chilly Las Vegas Grand Prix 2025 Set for Dry Race After Unseasonal Rain
When the Las Vegas Grand Prix rolls onto the Las Vegas Strip Circuit on Saturday, November 22, 2025, drivers won’t be battling heat—they’ll be fighting frost. With temperatures plummeting to single digits Celsius overnight and a bone-chilling 14°C (57.2°F) at race start, this year’s event is shaping up to be the coldest race on the Formula 1 calendar—a dramatic shift from the glitzy, warm-night image the event once projected. The National Weather Service Las Vegas confirms no rain is expected on race day, but the lingering chill and recent deluge have turned the Strip into a slick, unpredictable battleground. After Lewis Hamilton called it "the slipperiest track we’ve seen in years," teams are scrambling to adapt.
From Flash Floods to Frozen Track
Just days before the race, the Las Vegas Valley saw an extraordinary 0.92 inches of rain fall across Tuesday and Wednesday, more than triple the city’s entire historical November average. AccuWeather called it a "once-in-a-decade" event for the Mojave Desert, flooding streets near the Bellagio Fountains and forcing temporary closures of parts of the circuit. But by Friday, skies cleared. The National Weather Service Las Vegas now forecasts a dry, clear Saturday with a high of 64°F and overnight lows of 49°F—perfect for racing, but far from ideal for tire performance.Weather by Session: A Cold March to the Start
The schedule is brutal. Thursday’s Free Practice 1 kicks off at 14°C (57.2°F), dropping to 12°C (53.6°F) for FP2 as clouds roll in. Friday’s qualifying session starts under the same chill, with a 40% chance of lingering showers until late afternoon. Then, Saturday: zero rain, mainly sunny, but the air still feels like a Nevada winter morning. The race begins at 7:00 p.m. local time, but with the sun long gone, the track surface will be colder than any other F1 circuit this season. KTNV Channel 13 Las Vegas reporter noted the sessions will hover in the mid-to-upper 50s Fahrenheit—colder than Spa, colder than Monza, colder than even the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal.Drivers, Teams, and the Tire Crisis
The cold isn’t just uncomfortable—it’s dangerous. Lewis Hamilton, who finished second in the 2024 race behind teammate George Russell, warned teams that grip levels are "abysmal" on damp asphalt. The Pirelli tire supplier responded with a last-minute rule change: each driver now gets an extra set of full wet tires, and teams are exempt from using two different slick compounds if the race turns wet. Even more unusual: all drivers must make at least two pit stops, no matter the weather. That’s a seismic shift—usually, teams avoid unnecessary stops to save time.
The Track: A High-Speed Ice Rink
The Las Vegas Strip Circuit is already one of F1’s fastest street tracks, with drivers hitting 150 mph through the flat-out stretch between the Venetian and the Eiffel Tower at Paris. But now, with low temperatures and residual moisture from earlier rains, the tarmac is behaving like black ice. Even the slightest brake application risks locking up. In FP2, Lando Norris spun at Turn 8, barely avoiding the barriers. "It’s like driving on a frozen lake with no tread," he told reporters. "You can’t trust anything."What’s Next? The Race Day Tipping Point
The real drama will unfold in the final laps. With no rain expected, teams will have to choose between ultra-soft slicks (for grip) or mediums (for durability). But the cold means even the softest compound won’t reach optimal temperature quickly. Strategy will hinge on tire warmers, pit stop timing, and whether the asphalt warms enough after sunset. The Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, fresh off their 1-2 finish in 2024, will be favorites—but only if they solve the cold-tire puzzle. Red Bull and Ferrari, both struggling with low-grip conditions in recent races, could be in trouble.
Historical Context: Las Vegas as a Weather Wildcard
The 2023 debut was hot, humid, and chaotic. The 2024 race was cool but dry—perfect for Hamilton and Russell to dominate. Now, 2025 is rewriting the script. This is the first time the event has been held this late in November, and the desert’s seasonal plunge is catching everyone off guard. In 2019, a November night in Las Vegas dropped to 41°F. This year? 49°F is the low. It’s not freezing—but in F1 terms, it might as well be.What About the Aftermath?
Sunday’s forecast: 65°F and sunny. Monday: 64°F. Tuesday: 63°F. The desert will bounce back quickly. But for Formula 1, the legacy of 2025 may be permanent: a new benchmark for cold-weather racing. If teams can adapt here, they can adapt anywhere. But if they fail? Expect more spins, more safety cars, and more questions about whether Las Vegas belongs on the calendar at all.Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Las Vegas Grand Prix so much colder than other street races?
Unlike Monaco or Singapore, which are held in warmer climates and during summer months, the Las Vegas Grand Prix takes place in late November in the Mojave Desert, where nighttime temperatures regularly drop into the 40s. Combined with the race starting after sunset and the lack of urban heat retention on the Strip’s wide, open roads, it creates the coldest conditions on the F1 calendar—colder than even Spa or Monza in autumn.
How will the new Pirelli wet tire rules affect race strategy?
Drivers now get an extra set of full wet tires and don’t need to use two slick compounds if it rains. But since rain isn’t expected, teams will focus on tire warm-up. The mandatory two pit stops—even in dry conditions—forces teams to plan for potential tire degradation from cold temperatures, which could lead to more strategic risks and unexpected pit stops during the race.
Did the recent rain affect the track surface?
Yes. The 0.92 inches of rain that fell earlier in the week soaked the asphalt, washing away rubber buildup and leaving a slick, low-grip surface. Even though the track has dried, the temperature remains too low for optimal tire performance. Teams are using heat blankets and extra warm-up laps to compensate, but grip levels are still below average—making braking and cornering far more unpredictable than in previous years.
Why is the race start time listed as 4:00 am UK time on Sunday?
The race occurs on Saturday, November 22, 2025, in Las Vegas (PST), which is 8 hours behind the UK. So when it’s 7:00 p.m. Saturday in Las Vegas, it’s already 3:00 a.m. Sunday in the UK. The 4:00 a.m. UK time listed by Sky Sports refers to the race start in British time zones, not the actual date in Nevada.
How does the 2025 weather compare to the 2024 race?
In 2024, race day highs reached 66°F with clear skies and no rain—ideal conditions that helped Mercedes dominate. This year, temperatures are 2–3°F cooler at peak, and overnight lows are 5°F lower. The key difference? The track is colder at race start, and the asphalt hasn’t had time to absorb heat from the sun. That’s why drivers say it feels more slippery, even though it’s dry.
Is this the end of the Las Vegas Grand Prix?
Unlikely. The event is a commercial powerhouse, drawing global viewership and tourism. But 2025 has exposed its vulnerability to weather extremes. Future organizers may shift the race to mid-November instead of late November, or invest in track heating systems. For now, though, the desert chill is part of the challenge—and for fans, it makes the race even more unpredictable.
