Leclerc: Our improvement in tyre management could hurt our chances in Las Vegas

Charles Leclerc believes Ferrari’s improvements in tyre management this year could hurt the team’s chances at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.After a 2023 season in which Ferrari struggled with tyre wear and overheating, the cold conditions in Las Vegas played to Ferrari’s advantage with quick tyre warm-ups, with Ferrari drivers starting from the front row in Sunday’s race. 

Sainz finished the race in sixth place after being given a grid penalty, while Leclerc came close to taking his first and only win of the season when the safety car timing helped Max Verstappen to victory.

Ferrari has vastly improved its tyre wear issues and race pace since 2023.

But after the team struggled in wet and colder conditions at the Brazilian Grand Prix, Leclerc believes Ferrari’s tyre management improvements could mean the car is no longer as strong in cold conditions.

“We were very strong in Vegas last year, hopefully we can be that strong,” Leclerc said.

“We’ve made a big step forward in tyre management this year, which means we’ve put some things behind us in the cold conditions.

“So hopefully we can prepare properly by working these two weeks and be on a good level in Las Vegas. We were very strong last year; the track characteristics are better for our car. But I think it might be a little bit more difficult for us to get the tyres to the right temperature.”

Leclerc also said that they expected to be weak in Qatar compared to McLaren, which is better at high-speed corners.

“Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi are two races where I think we’ll be good. Unfortunately, I think Qatar will be a little bit more difficult.”

“But there are still three races left, so hopefully we can make the most of it and beat McLaren.”