Fernando Alonso has expressed sharp criticism of the GP of Las Vegas event. The Aston Martin driver believes that the nocturnal street circuit falls short in several areas and openly questions whether the current conditions meet what he calls ‘Formula 1 standards’. The flagship event of FOM was launched in 2023 and has since regularly sparked controversy.
The GP of Las Vegas has been on the calendar since 2023 and although the first edition was marred by loose manhole covers, the race has since grown into a popular spectacle. The layout offers – unlike other street circuits – ample overtaking opportunities and the extremely low night temperatures provide a unique challenge each year. However, Fernando Alonso mainly sees problems. The two-time world champion would first and foremost like to address the asphalt. According to him, it is ‘too slippery’, leading to a lack of grip and tires that barely heat up.
The Spaniard was harsh in his judgment afterwards. “The circuit is fun because it’s so fast, but I think the type of asphalt does not meet Formula 1 standards,” Alonso told the press. “It’s too slippery and we can’t get the tires to heat up. Due to the lack of grip and the fact that the track is extremely bumpy, we are really on the edge of safe racing. So I think we need to discuss with the FIA whether this is acceptable for the coming years.”
Bad Timing
According to Alonso, another problem is the timing of the event on the calendar. This year, Las Vegas marks the start of a grueling trilogy; the night race is quickly followed by the GP of Qatar, a whopping eleven time zones away. He believes the travel time and time difference are starting to take their toll. “To be honest, the place on the calendar is also difficult for us,” he said. “The time difference with two weeks ago, and now flying straight to Qatar… I don’t think there is another sport that would accept that.”
Alonso himself had a difficult race and remained outside the points. Aston Martin is already looking forward to 2026, when the new rules come into effect and the team appears at the start for the first time with a car from Adrian Newey.
