Scuderia Ferrari Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc secured pole place and fought to win the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix final 12 months, however he admits the Maranello crew may need made life extra “troublesome” for themselves heading into this season’s occasion which is about to happen on the 6.2-kilometre Las Vegas Strip Circuit in Nevada, USA, on Saturday, November 23.
The 20 drivers on the pinnacle of motorsport will roll the cube in Sin Metropolis as soon as extra subsequent season. Charles Leclerc hopes the Italian aspect can ship an improved efficiency on the Las Vegas Grand Prix after a difficult outing in São Paulo, the place he completed fifth and Carlos Sainz suffered a crash.
McLaren additionally prolonged their lead within the Constructors’ Championship barely in Brazil, thanks largely to a one-two end within the F1 Dash. Carlos Sainz’s dominant win on the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix had introduced Ferrari inside 29 factors of McLaren. Nevertheless, the Scuderia now path their rivals by 36 factors.
Charles Leclerc acknowledges that Ferrari’s enhancements in tire administration would possibly pose challenges in Las Vegas
Ferrari tailored rapidly to the distinctive circumstances confronted throughout the inaugural Las Vegas GP in 2023. With an area begin time of 10:00 PM on Saturday night time, it turned one of many coldest occasions on the calendar, resulting in extraordinarily low grip ranges all through the weekend.
Carlos Sainz in contrast the 2023 Las Vegas GP circumstances to “driving on ice,” whereas Mercedes’ George Russell described it as “actually harmful” below the protection automobile. Charles Leclerc now anticipates that equally chilly temperatures might current new challenges for Ferrari on the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Preliminary climate predictions point out air temperatures might dip to round 41–42°F (5–5.5°C) throughout the Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend. The Monegasque driver, nonetheless, stays skeptical about Ferrari’s skill to deal with such chilly circumstances as successfully as they did throughout the 2023 Las Vegas GP. This concern arises regardless of the crew’s enhancements in tire administration, which can not translate as properly to the colder temperatures anticipated.
“I feel on paper it’s a monitor the place we needs to be performing properly,” – the Monegasque driver defined in a current interview for the Spanish media – “Nevertheless, the truth that we’ve improved lots in tyre administration this 12 months in all probability signifies that on a monitor the place it’s so chilly, it’s going to be troublesome to get the tyres into the suitable temperature and within the excellent window. However, on paper, it nonetheless seems to be constructive – possibly not as constructive as final 12 months. However, nonetheless taking a look at how shut the whole lot is, I feel we’ll have an opportunity to win it.” – he identified.
Charles Leclerc’s issues might open the door for Purple Bull to capitalize
The 2024 Method 1 season has delivered probably the most aggressive campaigns in current reminiscence, with Purple Bull, Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes all claiming Grand Prix victories. Amongst these, the constructors’ championship battle stays fierce, with Purple Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren separated by simply 49 factors.
If Charles Leclerc’s fears that Ferrari’s developments in tyre administration could backfire on the Las Vegas GP show correct, each McLaren and Purple Bull will likely be desperate to seize the chance. Purple Bull, particularly, will likely be eager to take advantage of any mistake to strengthen their place and defend their constructors’ title.
Heading to Las Vegas, Purple Bull will doubtless carry better confidence than McLaren and, doubtlessly, Ferrari as properly. The crew has already demonstrated their prowess in Sin Metropolis, with Max Verstappen profitable the inaugural Las Vegas GP in 2023 and Sergio Perez securing third place. Their strategic edge allowed them to outmaneuver pole-sitter Charles Leclerc, leaving little doubt about their skill to thrive below related circumstances.