Las Vegas promised to be an atypical observe able to shaking issues up, and the primary day of apply on the U.S. circuit delivered lots to debate. As anticipated, the low grip ranges and really low temperatures—reaching simply 13°C on the asphalt throughout FP2—considerably impacted each pure lap efficiency and tire administration over longer runs.
Tires will undoubtedly be the first focus all through the weekend. Greater than the vehicles’ technical traits, the important thing issue seems to be how groups exploit the tires and the way a lot grip they will generate.
Alongside observe evolution, groups pursued various packages. Purple Bull and Ferrari adjusted their setups to progressively cut back drag from FP1 to FP2, aligning with benchmarks from opponents. In the meantime, McLaren diversified throughout the staff: Lando Norris opted for a extra loaded entrance wing, whereas Oscar Piastri selected a much less loaded configuration with a trimmed higher flap for Las Vegas.
Mercedes shines on Friday, McLaren within the center
Mercedes typically excels on Fridays however struggles to keep up the sting because the weekend progresses, with opponents bettering whereas the W15 stagnates. George Russell acknowledges this state of affairs may repeat tomorrow, significantly because of gasoline hundreds and engine mappings, as Mercedes tends to push more durable on Fridays. Nonetheless, each Russell and Lewis Hamilton expressed confidence.
Their W15 felt aggressive and carried out effectively beneath the day’s circumstances, particularly in sluggish sections such because the 7/8/9 sequence and the ultimate chicane, the place it was very sharp on nook entry. This power in sluggish corners has been a season-long pattern, because the W15 struggles extra in flowing sequences.
The true distinction lies in tire administration. All through the season, the Brackley automobile has fared higher in cooler circumstances, dropping grip extra shortly in hotter climates. In Las Vegas, the drivers discovered the automobile tough to deal with because of low grip, however it was total much less nervous than different vehicles—an element that has typically penalized Russell and Hamilton this season.
Nonetheless, Mercedes lacks prime pace, falling behind different prime groups besides Purple Bull, which loses six-tenths as a result of absence of a real low-downforce package deal. On the Strip, Mercedes trails McLaren by about 3–4 km/h, similar to Ferrari when neither Carlos Sainz nor Charles Leclerc advantages from slipstreams. The hole grows to 9 km/h earlier than the braking zone of Flip 4 in comparison with the McLaren MCL38.
McLaren’s automobile, as confirmed by its drivers, is aggressive in qualifying runs, excelling at bringing the tires into the proper window and capitalizing on prime speeds on straights. Nonetheless, McLaren struggled in particular corners, reminiscent of Flip 1 and the 7/8/9 sequence, the place Norris lacked the aggression seen from the Mercedes drivers. The staff is extra involved about graining throughout lengthy runs—an issue all groups confronted because of low temperatures—however Norris was significantly shocked by the automobile’s tempo with greater gasoline hundreds.
Oscar Piastri’s long term was extra convincing, although McLaren began their stint aggressively, in contrast to rivals who started with greater lap instances to protect the tires. This strategy will doubtless be reviewed post-FP2 to handle graining points beforehand seen at tracks like Monza.
Ferrari works on comfortable tire efficiency
Ferrari continues to grapple with tire temperatures, a recurring problem this season. The Las Vegas structure fits the SF-24 with its lengthy straights and sharp corners that don’t overly stress the entrance tires. Nonetheless, as anticipated, bringing the tires into the proper window has been tough.
This concern has plagued Ferrari in different races, significantly when attempting to maximise comfortable tires for qualifying. Ferrari struggled extra on the comfortable compound than on the medium, prompting the staff to check totally different methods, reminiscent of including an additional lap after the outlap to heat the tires additional—contrasting with McLaren and Mercedes.
The circuit’s low aerodynamic load in corners complicates extracting clear laps. Leclerc needed to abort a number of laps, contemplating a brand new strategy for utilizing comfortable tires, whereas Sainz struggled to string collectively an ideal lap, dropping time in Turns 1, 8, and 12 whereas engaged on brake launch to enhance cornering pace.
Flip 1 stays a essential focus for Ferrari, because it challenges the SF-24’s means to keep up rotation mid-corner with out dropping rear traction on exit. Sainz tried excessive entry speeds however couldn’t maintain the tempo by way of subsequent sections, dropping tenths to Mercedes and McLaren.
General, the SF-24 performs effectively on straights, aided by a lower-downforce wing setup in FP2 (although Sainz’s Strip reference benefited from a powerful slipstream). Nonetheless, Ferrari should enhance grip to search out rhythm in corners and braking zones, significantly with the comfortable tires. Whereas the drivers really feel extra optimistic about race tempo—regardless of graining and degradation points shared with rivals—single-lap efficiency stays a better limitation.
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