Charles Leclerc told his Las Vegas GP chances as Ferrari F1 driver given Carlos Sainz warning

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Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur feels a good result is ‘within our grasp’ at the Las Vegas Grand Prix if the Formula 1 team gives Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz the right tools.

The Scuderia heads for the famous streets of Sin City after a disappointing Sao Paulo GP last time out. Sainz could only come home P6 at Interlagos, while Leclerc did not start the Grand Prix. A hydraulics failure saw Leclerc crash out on the formation lap from second on the grid.

Leclerc further only qualified in P7 ahead of Sainz in P9 for the Sprint at the Sao Paulo GP in Brazil. Both drivers also only achieved minor progress over the 24-lap event with P5 and P8 finishes respectively. Sainz’s results were also his worst classified finishes since P6 in Japan.

Ferrari head for the Las Vegas GP after a tough time in Brazil

After the highs of winning the Singapore GP in September and denying Red Bull their perfect season, Sainz finished P6 in Japan. He also failed to start the Qatar GP after Ferrari identified a fuel system issue. Sainz bounced back for P3 in Austin before Leclerc sealed P3 in Mexico.

But Ferrari failed to build on their back-to-back podiums at the Sao Paulo GP as Sainz ended the day 50 seconds off the lead. His P8 in the Sprint was also the 29-year-old’s worst Sprint result this year. Sainz had secured sixth place in the Sprints at the Qatar and US Grand Prix.

Vasseur tells Leclerc and Sainz their Las Vegas GP chances

Formula 1 now returns to America for the third time this year for the debut Las Vegas Grand Prix. This week is not the first time F1 has raced in Las Vegas but is the first on the Las Vegas Strip Circuit. It is a high-speed and compact 3.8-mile wall-lined track incorporating the Strip.

Vasseur believes the street track will suit his drivers as Leclerc often impresses in Azerbaijan, Australia and Monaco. But the Ferrari team principal claims Sainz showed in Singapore that he can firmly rival the 26-year-old Monegasque on tracks similar to the Las Vegas GP circuit.

The Ferrari boss noted, via quotes by GP Blog, ahead of the Las Vegas GP: “Charles is always very quick on this type of track where you have to run close to the barriers.

“And in Singapore, Carlos showed he is no less adept in this discipline. We are confident that we can be on the pace and if we give the drivers everything they need, then a good result is within our grasp.”