Charles Leclerc reacts to challenging F1 practice in Las Vegas: "We're not as strong as we expected"

Today at 04:40 AM

After the first day of on-track activities, it’s time for teams to take stock and fine-tune their technical package. This weekend has become even more difficult due to the low temperatures expected in the Nevada desert. Ferrari is aware of this, and the team could still close the gap to McLaren in the Constructors’ Championship. However, it could be a tough weekend for Ferrari, with Charles Leclerc admitting to having faced some issues on Thursday in Las Vegas.

Ferrari started the Las Vegas weekend on a relatively positive note, as this is one of the tracks that should suit the SF-24 on paper. It’s a circuit where good traction and mechanical grip are essential for the low-speed corners. Additionally, a lot of power and efficiency are needed to tackle the long straights that make up the 6-kilometer track.

The Ferrari showed significant effectiveness on the Las Vegas city circuit, although it still faces the well-known issue of getting the tires up to temperature on the very first flying lap. Leclerc himself acknowledged that the SF-24 still suffers from this problem. However, Ferrari isn’t the only team struggling with this issue, as Max Verstappen and McLaren also faced similar challenges.

“It wasn't a memorable day for us,” Charles Leclerc explained, “but it seems like it was complicated for other teams too. We’re not as strong as we expected to be before going out on track. With these very cold weather conditions, it's still hard for us to bring the tires to the ideal temperature, which we knew would be the challenge of the weekend. So, we'll work on that tonight. Let's see what we can bring home tomorrow.” – the Monegasque driver pointed out at the end of the second free practice session for the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Currently, the SF-24 enjoys excellent aerodynamic efficiency and, above all, a very effective power unit. It's still undecided whether Leclerc's car will use the fifth power unit, as he has been a “victim” of a consistent issue with the Lico in recent events.

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