Charles Leclerc warns Ferrari decision may complicate 2024 F1 Las Vegas GP
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Scuderia Ferrari Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc secured pole position and fought to win the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix last year, but he admits the Maranello team might have made life more “difficult” for themselves heading into this season’s event which is set to take place at the 6.2-kilometre Las Vegas Strip Circuit in Nevada, USA, on Saturday, November 23.
The 20 drivers at the pinnacle of motorsport will roll the dice in Sin City once more next season. Charles Leclerc hopes the Italian side can deliver an improved performance at the Las Vegas Grand Prix after a challenging outing in São Paulo, where he finished fifth and Carlos Sainz suffered a crash.
McLaren also extended their lead in the Constructors' Championship slightly in Brazil, thanks largely to a one-two finish in the F1 Sprint. Carlos Sainz's dominant win at the Mexico City Grand Prix had brought Ferrari within 29 points of McLaren. However, the Scuderia now trail their rivals by 36 points.
Charles Leclerc acknowledges that Ferrari's improvements in tire management might pose challenges in Las Vegas
Ferrari adapted quickly to the unique conditions faced during the inaugural Las Vegas GP in 2023. With a local start time of 10:00 PM on Saturday night, it became one of the coldest events on the calendar, leading to extremely low grip levels throughout the weekend.
Carlos Sainz compared the 2023 Las Vegas GP conditions to “driving on ice,” while Mercedes' George Russell described it as “really dangerous” under the safety car. Charles Leclerc now anticipates that similarly cold temperatures could present new challenges for Ferrari at the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Preliminary weather predictions indicate air temperatures could dip to around 41–42°F (5–5.5°C) during the Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend. The Monegasque driver, however, remains skeptical about Ferrari's ability to handle such chilly conditions as effectively as they did during the 2023 Las Vegas GP. This concern arises despite the team's improvements in tire management, which may not translate as well to the colder temperatures expected.
"I think on paper it's a track where we should be performing well," – the Monegasque driver explained in a recent interview for the Spanish media – "However, the fact that we've improved a lot in tyre management this year probably means that on a track where it's so cold, it's going to be difficult to get the tyres into the right temperature and in the perfect window. But, on paper, it still looks positive – maybe not as positive as last year. But, still looking at how close everything is, I think we'll have a chance to win it." – he pointed out.
Charles Leclerc’s concerns could open the door for Red Bull to capitalize
The 2024 Formula 1 season has delivered one of the most competitive campaigns in recent memory, with Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes all claiming Grand Prix victories. Among these, the constructors' championship battle remains fierce, with Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren separated by just 49 points.
If Charles Leclerc's fears that Ferrari's advancements in tyre management may backfire at the Las Vegas GP prove accurate, both McLaren and Red Bull will be eager to seize the opportunity. Red Bull, in particular, will be keen to exploit any mistake to strengthen their position and defend their constructors' title.
Heading to Las Vegas, Red Bull will likely carry greater confidence than McLaren and, potentially, Ferrari as well. The team has already demonstrated their prowess in Sin City, with Max Verstappen winning 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 no doubt about their ability to thrive under similar circumstances.
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