Perez: Cooler conditions in Las Vegas will not benefit Red Bull

Sergio Perez has warned that cooler temperatures expected for the opening ceremony of the Las Vegas Grand Prix will not benefit Red Bull.

Formula 1 begins its maiden visit to the Las Vegas Strip this weekend, with evening races designed to deliver the coldest conditions of the season.

This raised concerns about tire heating, especially after some drivers in Brazil complained about the consistency of Pirelli’s dry compound.

Although Red Bull have won all but one of the 20 rounds so far, Perez is wary that exceptional conditions could open the door for the rival team to take the lead.

“I think it’s something that’s going to be very present there, and it probably won’t be something that benefits us as a team, but it’s something that we have to keep in mind about spirit,” he said.

“Those things are very hard to simulate, also knowing what sort of wind direction we’re going to have.

“Simulators these days, there is so much they can do and so much you can base on them, but I think it’s more the knowledge we’ll have on that sort of thing.”

Despite there being apprehension over the conditions, Perez is optimistic that the street circuit, which features a 1.900 km straight, will produce exciting racing on Sunday.

“I think it will be good for racing, it was very long straights with big braking zones so I do expect that it will be a good track for racing,” he added.

Perez will be aiming to end the season on a positive note by bagging a victory in one of the final two rounds, having not triumphed in a race since the Azerbaijan GP back in April.

The six-time race winner believes his recent results have disguised the progress he’s made following an extensive run in Red Bull’s simulator to counter his previous torrid run.

When asked what else he would prepare before Las Vegas, Perez replied: “I think a lot. With all we learn from weekend to weekend, I think it’s important that we continue this trend.

Perez, who can mathematically guarantee second place in the drivers’ championship this weekend, also expects to be supported by many Mexican fans in Sin City.

The home crowd were extremely disappointed when the 33-year-old retired from the first round of his home event after encountering Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in Turn 1.

“After last weekend [Mexico], maybe they weren’t so passionate! But there’s still a lot left and I expect a lot of support in Vegas,” Perez added.