Las Vegas Grand Prix Tips
The 2024 Formula 1 season closes with a triple-header of races starting with this weekend's Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Sin City put on a spectacular event last year on its debut in the calendar and there is a good chance this season's running will see Max Verstappen crowned world champion for the fourth time.
The Red Bull driver leads McLaren's Lando Norris in the standings by 62 points after a masterclass in atrocious conditions in Brazil last time.
If Verstappen leaves Las Vegas with a 60-point lead or more, he will have sealed the title.
Tip 1 - Oscar Piastri top-three finish @ 2/1](https://www.betuk.com/betting#event/1021175917
Oscar Piastri hasn't managed a podium appearance in the last three races, but it would be no surprise to see the Aussie bounce back in Vegas.
Piastri has never been in the championship fight this year, but team-mate Norris has been given preferential treatment as the more experienced driver, getting his hands on car upgrades a race earlier than the Australian.
Despite that, Piastri has had a superb second season in Formula 1, with two wins and four second-place places.
After muscling Norris out of the way on the opening lap in Italy he should have won the race, had the team not been outfoxed by Ferrari, and he has been asked to aid Norris' title bid in subsequent races.
It would be understandable if that hit his motivation, but by letting Norris past in both the Sprint and main race in Brazil he certainly made a statement.
As a high-speed street circuit with a very long flat-out section, the Vegas track bears similarities with Baku, where Piastri scored a brilliant win, and even if he is forced to give way to keep Norris's dwindling title hopes alive, Piastri can still make the top three.
Tip 2 - [McLaren to feature winning driver @ 7/4}(/betting/motor-racing/formula-1/las-vegas-grand-prix#event/1021175917)
None of the winners of the last 12 Grands Prix have managed to follow up next time out and, as impressive as Verstappen's victory in Sao Paulo was, he could be up against it in Vegas.
The Red Bull's performance has undoubtedly improved since the mini-break before the race in Texas, but in dry conditions McLaren look to be the clear leaders.
Piastri and Norris lined up first and second on the grid for the Sprint in Brazil and comfortably finished in front, albeit in the reverse order after Piastri had ceded position.
Ferrari had the upper hand in the previous two races and qualified first and second in Las Vegas last season.
However, the Prancing Horses were disappointing enough in Brazil, even accounting for the weather, to think the pendulum may have swung back in McLaren's direction.
Tip 3 - Liam Lawson top-10 finish @ 2/1
New Zealander Liam Lawson was brought in by RB after the Singapore Grand Prix to replace Daniel Ricciardo and, after just three outings this season, he has already been linked with a move to the senior Red Bull team as early as next year.
He finished ninth on his comeback in Texas despite starting 19th after a grid penalty.
He was fighting for points again in Mexico before picking up damage and ending up 16th, but was back in the top ten with a ninth-place finish in very challenging conditions in Brazil last time.
The team are finishing the season in decent form. Lawson's team-mate Yuki Tsunoda has reached the top-ten shootout in qualifying at three of the last four races and they will look to increase their tally in Vegas.