The 2024 Formula 1 season has officially concluded, and while there are many notable moments to analyze, one standout event from the season occurred during the Las Vegas Grand Prix—an instance that might have been easily overlooked by many.
The Williams team arrived in Las Vegas in a tough but resilient state. Despite some setbacks, they managed to get two cars prepared at their headquarters in Grove. By the time they hit the Las Vegas Strip on Saturday night, the team was ready for what would be an unforgettable moment.
Alex Albon, driving the Williams FW46, truly pushed the limits of speed under the bright lights of Las Vegas. As the cars roared down Las Vegas Boulevard, Albon achieved an astonishing top speed of 369 km/h (229 mph), marking the fastest speed recorded during any race of the 2024 season. This speed was so impressive that it hasn’t been seen since Sebastian Vettel achieved it at Monza in 2019. To put this into perspective, 369 km/h is faster than the speed at which most commercial airplanes take off.
The conditions that led to this remarkable feat were unique. Albon found himself in the midst of a six-car DRS train, and he maintained his position at the rear of the train for the entire 1.92 km straight. This allowed him to maximize the car’s speed, reaching 13,194 rpm in 8th gear. His incredible feat highlights just how important both the car’s capabilities and the strategy of positioning within the race can be to achieving such speeds.
Williams has a long-standing reputation in Formula 1 for pushing the boundaries of speed, and this moment at the Las Vegas Grand Prix was another reminder of their pursuit of excellence on the track. For those intrigued by the technical side of F1, learning more about how fast a Formula 1 car can really go is a fascinating topic worth exploring.
