F1 analyst Karun Chandhok reveals the one huge change organizers should make to the Las Vegas Grand Prix

Formula One driver turned star TV analyst Karun Chandhok believes the Las Vegas Grand Prix would be much improved if organizers moved it from November to the height of summer.

Chandhok and the rest of the F1 roadshow have rolled into Sin City for this weekend’s race across the Strip – after 2023 marked the sport’s first return to the city in 41 years.

While pre-race excitement is high, Chandhok has revealed the one major change he would make to improve the night race in Vegas.

“In terms of razzmatazz, one of the things I think is tricky is the time of year,” he told Mail Sport, courtesy of Betway.

“When you have the race in the desert in November it’s damn cold at night and I think it’s hard to entice the same crowd and the same atmosphere when it’s 7 degrees and freezing at night.

Last year the race was one of the best of the year, but Karun Chandhok would make one change

“It’s difficult to keep people outside for four to five hours.”

Chandhok was speaking before F1 made the decision last week to move the Canadian Grand Prix from June to May, and hold it alongside the Miami race from 2026.

The Sky Sports TV analyst, who also regularly appears on US TV during ESPN’s simulcast, hinted that the Vegas race should be in addition, creating a three-race North American stint.

“From a sustainability perspective, we all fly to Canada, all the freight goes to Canada and then we come back to Europe,” he said. “Maybe if you had Vegas [with them]you could make it a better show and do it at that time of year.”

Last year’s much-hyped return to Las Vegas left race fans thrilled, as the track layout worked perfectly for overtaking – and the race went down to the wire.

An early problem with a broken drain cover caused major damage during the first practice session, but Chandhok believes the organizers should not be blamed for this.

Chandhok believes Vegas should join Canada and Miami in a North American summer window

“I think the race was great in the end,” he added. ‘It was a brilliant race and I think that’s the most important thing. Honestly, a lot of people criticize them about the Friday runoff and the delays and stuff like that, but I had no problem with it.

‘I was actually sympathetic because things like that have happened at so many tracks around the world. I think it’s because there was so much hype around Vegas. So many eyes were on them that they received more criticism. It was hard because of the time zone and what time it was, but I was actually understanding of the situation.

‘For me, it’s ultimately about the race and designing a race track in a city is always difficult. You have to get around the existing infrastructure, buildings, fountains, bus stops, fire hydrants and all this stuff. So it’s not easy to make a good song.

‘In the end they completed a good overtaking route. You have big long straights, a lot of DRS. It looks spectacular under the lights. I actually just watched the highlights of last year’s race yesterday and it was a brilliant race, and I think that’s the most important thing.”