Charles Leclerc believes the progress Ferrari has made on its tyre administration this 12 months would possibly truly hinder the group’s possibilities at Components 1’s Las Vegas Grand Prix.
After a 2023 marketing campaign by which Ferrari struggled with tyre put on and overheating, the chilly situations at Las Vegas truly turned its fast tyre warm-up right into a energy, with Leclerc and Carlos Sainz locking out the entrance row.
Whereas Sainz fought again to sixth after taking a grid penalty, Leclerc seemed good worth to take his first and solely win of the season till an sadly timed security automobile worn out his benefit and allowed Pink Bull’s Max Verstappen to take management.
Ferrari’s superior traction, which stood it in good stead on the Las Vegas Strip circuit, continues to be one in all its robust fits this 12 months.
However the Scuderia has since dramatically improved its tyre put on points and race tempo usually, which has made it aggressive on a variety of circuits and saved it within the hunt for the constructors’ championship.
After Ferrari struggled for tempo within the Brazilian Grand Prix on a moist and colder Interlagos circuit, Leclerc believes that its enchancment in tyre behaviour may truly imply it’s not as robust anymore in chilly situations.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24
Photograph by: Ferrari
“We have been very robust final 12 months, so I hope we will be as robust,” stated Leclerc.
“It’s true additionally, and I used to be interested by that earlier, that this 12 months we have accomplished an enormous step in tyre administration, which signifies that we additionally left one thing behind in chilly situations and tyre temperatures similar to right this moment was. Las Vegas is a little bit of that situation as properly.
“So, let’s hope we are able to work in these two weeks to arrange it correctly and be at a superb degree in Las Vegas.
“We have been very robust final 12 months; the traits of the monitor are higher for our automobile. Nonetheless, assume it is likely to be a bit trickier for us to place these within the [right] temperatures.”
Ferrari continues to be anticipating Qatar to be its Achilles heel in comparison with McLaren, which excels by means of Losail’s high-speed corners, as each groups battle for the constructors’ title.
“Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi are the 2 races the place I feel we are able to do properly,” Leclerc added.
“Sadly, I feel that Qatar shall be a bit harder and it is going to be extra about harm limitation.
“But it surely’s nonetheless three races to go, and hopefully we are able to take advantage of out of it and beat McLaren.”
After seeing the hole to McLaren develop to 46 factors in Sao Paulo, Sainz stated: “We shall be alive till the very finish.
“We’ve got three weekends now developing which are going to be essential for the entire group and now we have to refocus, regroup and see how we are able to method these final three races in the very best method.”