Charles Leclerc is optimistic that Ferrari will have a chance to win the upcoming F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix but cautioned that their improved tyre management could pose challenges this year.
Leclerc, who secured pole position in Las Vegas last year but finished second behind Max Verstappen, reflected on Ferrari’s evolving performance. In 2023, the team excelled in qualifying but often fell short on race day. This year, the situation has flipped, with Ferrari demonstrating their strongest pace on Sundays.
Looking ahead to the Las Vegas GP, which will take place under the lights with temperatures potentially dropping below 10 degrees, Leclerc acknowledged the potential hurdles. Improved tyre management, typically an asset, might make it harder to generate optimal tyre performance in cold conditions during qualifying.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Leclerc shared his outlook:
“I think, on paper, it’s a track where we should perform well. However, the fact that we’ve improved a lot with tyre management means it could be difficult to get the tyres in the right window on such a cold track”.
“On paper, it still looks positive. Maybe not as positive as last year, but seeing how close everything is, I believe we will have a shot at winning it.”