Charles Leclerc believes the progress Ferrari has made on its tyre administration this yr would possibly truly hinder the group’s probabilities at Formulation 1’s Las Vegas Grand Prix.
After a 2023 marketing campaign during 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 automotive worn out his benefit and allowed Purple Bull’s Max Verstappen to take management.
Ferrari’s superior traction, which stood it in good stead on the Las Vegas Strip circuit, remains to be certainly one of its robust fits this yr.
However the Scuderia has since dramatically improved its tyre put on points and race tempo generally, 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 isn’t as robust anymore in chilly situations.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24
Photograph by: Ferrari
“We had been very robust final yr, so I hope we could be as robust,” mentioned Leclerc.
“It’s true additionally, and I used to be fascinated with that earlier, that this yr we have performed a giant step in tyre administration, which signifies that we additionally left one thing behind in chilly situations and tyre temperatures similar to at the moment was. Las Vegas is a little bit of that state of affairs as nicely.
“So, let’s hope we will work in these two weeks to organize it correctly and be at a very good stage in Las Vegas.
“We had been very robust final yr; the traits of the monitor are higher for our automotive. Nevertheless, assume it may be a bit trickier for us to place these within the [right] temperatures.”
Ferrari remains to be anticipating Qatar to be its Achilles heel in comparison with McLaren, which excels by way of Losail’s high-speed corners, as each groups struggle for the constructors’ title.
“Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi are the 2 races the place I feel we will do nicely,” Leclerc added.
“Sadly, I feel that Qatar might be a bit tougher and will probably be extra about harm limitation.
“Nevertheless it’s nonetheless three races to go, and hopefully we will take advantage of out of it and beat McLaren.”
After seeing the hole to McLaren develop to 46 factors in Sao Paulo, Sainz mentioned: “We might be alive till the very finish.
“We have now three weekends now arising which are going to be vital for the entire group and now we have to refocus, regroup and see how we will method these final three races in the absolute best means.”