Lewis Hamilton baffled as Red Bull told to replace Perez with ex-Mercedes star

Expectations are high for this weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix, with months of preparation set to be unveiled on the iconic Strip through the city centre. With just two races remaining of the season, drivers will be keen to bow out of 2023 on a high – though there is plenty for them to overcome if they are to reign victorious in Nevada.

McLaren chief Zak Brown has talked up the race and the exposure that F1 will receive from such an event, telling The Telegraph: “It’s going to be the biggest grand prix ever. The largest sporting event in the world this year.

“Only the World Cup and the Olympics surpass Formula One in exposure, and they’re not annual events. I can’t think of an event that’s been as anticipated as the Las Vegas Grand Prix in any sport this year.”

However, not everyone is entirely positive about the upcoming race. Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton has spoken out about the imminent uncertainty surrounding the event and the logistics of hosting a race in Vegas, with locals also hitting out at the disruption that they are having to endure for the remainder of the week.

Express Sport keeps you up to date with all the latest F1 news below…

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Hamilton baffled ahead of Vegas Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton has revealed that he has plenty of questions about the Las Vegas GP ahead of the race.

He told Sky Sports: “I just don’t understand how we’re going to move around that place. I don’t know how we get from the track to the hotel, it’s going to be such a compact spot with so many people.

“But I think it’s going to be wild, it’s going to be a wild experience. I think the best thing is to just go in with an open mind, not having any pre-determined ideas about what it’s going to be like and just take it all in when you get there. Driving at night lights, I feel like I’m in a casino movie!”

Perez replacement identified by pundit

Iconic F1 pundit Peter Windsor has urged Red Bull to call upon the services of former Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas to replace Sergio Perez.

The Mexican has struggled this season and speculation has continued to swirl that Max Verstappen needs a more efficient No 2 to raise his standards.

Discussing potential replacements for Checo on a YouTube Livestream, Windsor explained: “Valtteri Bottas would be another guy who I think would do a good job in that second Red Bull. He’s the sort of guy that Red Bull would hire actually because he’s got a good pedigree, he’s a bit quieter than Perez.

“He’s not by no means in the same class as Max or Lewis or Charles [Leclerc], but he’s not bad. Better than Perez, I think. If you’re going to look at anybody, Bottas would be the guy.

“It would be worth making an offer to Bottas because I can’t imagine he imagines he’s going to be in Audi’s future, I’m sure he’s not. So just a nice two-year deal for Bottas would be a very good move.”