‘We feel so upset’… Marc Gene admits 26-year-old was absolutely gutted at the end of the Las Vegas GP

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Ferrari ambassador Marc Gene has admitted that Charles Leclerc felt ‘so upset’ at the end of the Las Vegas Grand Prix last weekend.

Gene was talking on the F1 Nation Podcast after a scintillating race on the streets of the Nevada desert.

Charles Leclerc was once again within touching distance of his first race win of the season.

A lot has been made of his inability to convert pole positions into taking the chequered flag first, although Max Verstappen’s domination of Formula 1 in 2023 is virtually unprecedented.

Leclerc has started from first on five occasions this season and has converted four of those five starts into podium finishes.

The exception was the United States GP in Austin where he was disqualified alongside Lewis Hamilton, although he only came home in sixth that day.

Unsurprisingly, Leclerc was upset not to have taken the victory in Las Vegas, although he hid it well after the race.

He was upbeat in the cool-down car alongside Verstappen and Sergio Perez until he realised both Red Bull’s pitted during the second safety car.

It was a decision that ultimately played a large part in the 26-year-old failing to win the Grand Prix.

Ferrari’s strategies have been under intense scrutiny in the past two seasons and last weekend’s race looks like another example of a missed opportunity.

Leclerc upset at conclusion of Las Vegas GP

Speaking to the F1 Nation after the race, Gene said: “I just spoke to Charles and we feel so upset, you know, we did everything right.

“I think the Carlos [Sainz] problem also played its part in no helping and the safety car for sure. It was just horrible for us but we’re improving lately.

“This track in particular was good for us so I don’t think that type of performance will repeat itself but having said that we do feel that we are getting the best out of the car, especially this last part of the season, so the team is working well yes.”

The problem Leclerc faced in Las Vegas and has faced all season is that his Ferrari simply isn’t as quick in the race as it is in qualifying.

Even when he’s got a decent launch off the line, he can rarely hold off Verstappen for long.

Leclerc will be upset with how poorly he started the race in Las Vegas even if the Dutchman did force him off the road.

It was a short run down to turn one and yet he still opened the door for his rival who had to deal with an especially slippery side of the track.

Ferrari’s hope for 2024 will be that both Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are fighting for race victories and not just pole positions.