Max Verstappen approaches the Las Vegas Grand Prix with a commanding lead in the F1 drivers' championship, poised to secure his fourth consecutive title. The night race, scheduled for Saturday at 10 p.m. local time, will showcase cars racing through the illuminated Las Vegas Strip.

Former F1 champion Mika Hakkinen anticipates a three-way battle between Red Bull, McLaren, and Ferrari. The Las Vegas Strip Circuit, the second-longest track in F1 after Spa-Francorchamps, features a 1.9km straight where cars reach speeds of 350 KPH (217 MPH).

Verstappen leads McLaren's Lando Norris by 62 points and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc by 86 points. To keep his title hopes alive, Norris must win the race, set the fastest lap, and hope Verstappen finishes outside the top 10.

The nighttime desert conditions present unique challenges, particularly for tire temperature management. Teams benefit from last year's race data to optimize their performance on the challenging circuit, which combines high-speed straits with technical corners around landmarks like the Las Vegas Sphere.

Betting odds heavily favor Verstappen, priced at 1/40 (-4000) for the championship. His teammate Sergio Perez, despite driving for dominant Red Bull, sits at 100/1 (+10000) to win the race, reflecting his recent form and the improvements made by McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes.

A fourth consecutive drivers' title would place Verstappen alongside F1 legends Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton, and Juan Manuel Fangio, though still short of Michael Schumacher's record of five straight championships.

Las Vegas Grand Prix CEO Renee Wilm explains the late start time as a strategic choice to maximize global viewership, allowing European fans to watch early Sunday morning while accommodating U.S. audiences.

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