Helmut Marko warns of Las Vegas 'lottery' as weekend threat highlighted

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has warned the Las Vegas F1 weekend could become a “lottery” if rainfall hits the circuit.

The drivers were met with a low-grip surface during practice on Thursday evening, resulting in many minor excursions off the track.

However, there is a chance of rainfall hitting the circuit on Friday, prior to final practice and qualifying.

With the first F1 Academy race of the weekend not scheduled until after FP3, there is no on-track activity to help clean the track, while further saturation could reset the track conditions and create more problems for drivers.

“Let’s see what happens tomorrow because there are no support races [before FP3],” Marko told media including RacingNews365.

“There is rain forecast, so if it rains, then the little grip we have will be washed away. It’s a little bit of a lottery.”

Red Bull entered the weekend with the aim of fighting at the front of the field, while rivals McLaren were expected to struggle.

However, at the end of FP2, it was McLaren's Norris who ended the session with the fastest time.

But when asked if the low-grip conditions can play to Verstappen’s advantage this weekend, Marko replied: “If the car and set-up is right, then yes.”

Marko also admitted surprise over McLaren's rapid start to the weekend after the Woking-based squad tempered expectations ahead of the weekend.

“I'm surprised by Norris' time,” he said. 

“As I said, we have to check what sort of engine mode he was running and how many kilos he had in the tank.”