Charles Leclerc admits Ferrari decision could make the Las Vegas Grand Prix ‘difficult’

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Charles Leclerc took pole position and fought to win the debut Las Vegas Grand Prix, but he concedes Ferrari might have made life more ‘difficult’ for themselves in 2024.

The 20 drivers in the pinnacle of motorsport will roll the dice in Sin City once again next time out. Leclerc will be hoping Ferrari can have an improved showing at the Las Vegas Grand Prix after a difficult outing in Sao Paulo, where he finished in fifth place and Carlos Sainz crashed.

McLaren also slightly extended their lead in the constructors’ championship in Brazil, thanks largely to a one-two finish in the F1 Sprint. Sainz’s dominant Mexico City Grand Prix win had put Ferrari within 29 points of the Woking crew. But the Scuderia trail their rivals by 36 now.

Charles Leclerc admits Ferrari’s tyre management gains could cost them in Las Vegas

Ferrari were quick to adapt to the unique circumstances that greeted the Formula 1 field for the inaugural Las Vegas GP in 2023. A local start time of 22:00 on the Saturday night made it one of the coldest events on the calendar, causing extremely low levels of grip all weekend.

Sainz would liken the conditions at the 2023 Las Vegas GP to ‘driving on ice’, while Mercedes star George Russell went as far as calling it ‘really dangerous’ behind the safety car. Leclerc expects cold temperatures may also now deal Ferrari problems at the 2024 Las Vegas GP.

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Early forecasts offer lows of 41-42°F (5-5.5°C) for the air temperature in Las Vegas over the Grand Prix weekend. Leclerc is not convinced Ferrari are as well-equipped to deal with lower temperatures as they were at the 2023 Las Vegas GP having refined their tyre management.

“I think on paper it’s a track where we should be performing well,” Leclerc noted, via Marca.

“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.”

Charles Leclerc’s concerns could encourage Red Bull to take advantage

Formula 1 has enjoyed one of its most competitive seasons for years this term with Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes all winning Grand Prix through 2024. The first three of those four teams are also fighting for the constructors’ championship with 49 points behind them.

Should Leclerc’s concern that Ferrari’s tyre management improvements cost the Scuderia at the Las Vegas GP, McLaren and Red Bull will hope they are able to capitalise. Red Bull, more than anyone, will certainly want to punish any slip-up if they are to defend their teams’ title.

Red Bull will also likely head to Sin City with more confidence than McLaren and, given how Leclerc perceives Ferrari’s chances, possibly the Scuderia. Max Verstappen won the maiden Las Vegas GP in 2023 with Sergio Perez in P3 as Red Bull got ahead of pole-sitter Leclerc.