Ferrari has made extreme improvements in the way it handles tires in 2024: But it was precisely the high tire wear that made the Scuderia so strong in Las Vegas a year ago.
Will the cold night temperatures be a limiting factor for Ferrari in Las Vegas? As a reminder, last year the new street circuit in the city of gamblers was still one of Ferrari’s strongest tracks: Charles Leclerc fought for victory for a long time despite bad luck with the safety car, ultimately finishing second behind Max Verstappen.
In 2024, however, Leclerc fears that of all things Ferrari’s latest improvements in tire management could slow the Scuderia down on the street circuit:
“We were very strong there last year, so of course I hope we will be again. But it’s also true, and I’ve thought about this before, that we’ve made a big step in tire management this year – so now we’re a bit behind in colder conditions,” Leclerc explains.
In 2023, Ferrari generally had problems with tire wear and overheating, so cooler temperatures like those at the night race in the Nevada desert suited the Scuderia. However, the continued good traction and strong race pace on almost all types of track is a glimmer of hope.
Leclerc’s prognosis: Qatar only “damage limitation”
“I hope we can use the two weeks to prepare well and be at a good level in Las Vegas,” says Leclerc, adding: ‘The characteristics of the track are better for our car, but I still think it might be a bit more difficult for us to hit the (right) temperature.’
However, the Monegasque driver still sees the race in Qatar as the Achilles’ heel in the rest of the race calendar: “Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi are the two races where I think we can do well. I think unfortunately it will be more difficult in Qatar, where it’s more about damage limitation.”
The many fast corners on the circuit in Qatar would play into the hands of McLaren, the team he is in a close fight with for the Constructors’ Championship: “But there are still three races to go, so hopefully we can get the most out of them and beat McLaren,” says Leclerc, who is currently 36 points behind, but is not giving up on the title for his team yet.