Charles Leclerc believes the progress Ferrari has made on its tyre administration this 12 months may truly hinder the staff’s probabilities at Components 1’s Las Vegas Grand Prix.
After a 2023 marketing campaign during which Ferrari struggled with tyre put on and overheating, the chilly circumstances at Las Vegas truly turned Ferrari’s fast tyre warm-up right into a power, with Leclerc and Carlos Sainz locking out the entrance row.
Whereas Sainz fought again to sixth after taking a grid penalty, Leclerc appeared good worth to take his first and solely win of the season till an sadly timed security automobile worn out his benefit and allowed Purple Bull’s Max Verstappen to take management.
Ferrari’s superior traction, which stood it in good stead on the Las Vegas Strip circuit, remains to be considered one of its sturdy fits this 12 months.
However Ferrari has since dramatically improved its tyre put on points and race tempo usually, which has made it aggressive on a variety of circuits and stored it within the hunt for the constructors’ championship.
After Ferrari struggled for tempo within the Brazilian Grand Prix on a moist and colder Interlagos circuit, Leclerc believes that the Scuderia’s enchancment in tyre behaviour may truly imply it isn’t as sturdy anymore in chilly circumstances.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24
Picture by: Ferrari
“We have been very sturdy final 12 months, so I hope we could be as sturdy,” Leclerc.
“It’s true additionally, and I used to be fascinated about that earlier, that this 12 months we have carried out an enormous step in tyre administration, which implies that we additionally left one thing behind in chilly circumstances and tyre temperatures identical to right now [at Sao Paulo] was. Las Vegas is a little bit of that situation as nicely.
“So, let’s hope we will work in these two weeks to arrange it correctly and be at a very good degree in Las Vegas. We have been very sturdy final 12 months; the traits of the monitor are higher for our automobile. Nonetheless, assume it is likely to be a bit trickier for us to place these within the [right] temperatures.”
Ferrari remains to be anticipating Qatar to be its Achilles heel in comparison with McLaren, which excels by Losail high-speed corners, as each groups struggle for the constructors’ title.
“Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi are the 2 races the place I believe we will do nicely,” he added. “Sadly, I believe that Qatar shall be a bit tougher and it is going to be extra about injury limitation.
“However it’s nonetheless three races to go, and hopefully we will take advantage of out of it and beat McLaren.”
After seeing the hole to McLaren develop to 46 factors in Sao Paulo, Sainz added: “We shall be alive till the very finish.
“We now have three weekends now developing which can be going to be vital for the entire staff and now we have to refocus, regroup and see how we will method these final three races in the absolute best manner.”
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