Charles Leclerc believes the progress Ferrari has made on its tyre administration this yr would possibly truly hinder the staff’s probabilities at Method 1’s Las Vegas Grand Prix.
After a 2023 marketing campaign through which Ferrari struggled with tyre put on and overheating, the chilly situations 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 seemed 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 yr.
However Ferrari has since dramatically improved its tyre put on points and race tempo typically, 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 might truly imply it isn’t as sturdy anymore in chilly situations.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24
Picture by: Ferrari
“We had been very sturdy final yr, so I hope we could be as sturdy,” Leclerc.
“It’s true additionally, and I used to be serious about that earlier, that this yr we have performed an enormous step in tyre administration, which signifies that we additionally left one thing behind in chilly situations and tyre temperatures identical to at this time [at Sao Paulo] was. Las Vegas is a little bit of that situation as nicely.
“So, let’s hope we are able to work in these two weeks to organize it correctly and be at degree in Las Vegas. We had been very sturdy final yr; the traits of the observe are higher for our automobile. Nonetheless, suppose it could 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 combat for the constructors’ title.
“Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi are the 2 races the place I believe we are able to do nicely,” he added. “Sadly, I believe that Qatar shall be a bit tougher and it is going to be extra about harm limitation.
“However it’s nonetheless three races to go, and hopefully we are able to 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’ve got three weekends now arising which are going to be necessary for the entire staff and now we have to refocus, regroup and see how we are able to strategy these final three races in the very best method.”
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