There are 36 points separating Ferrari from the dream of the Constructors' title, a goal that Maranello has been missing since 2008. A gap that Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz and the Scuderia want to start closing this weekend in Las Vegas, avoiding leaving the fate of the championship in the hands of the final rounds of the season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
Leclerc charges the team on the eve of the Las Vegas GP
On the eve of the first night GP of the final hat-trick, Charles Leclerc was confident but cautious. “I'm sure we can be up to par this weekend., although there are many aspects that can put you in difficulty,” explained the Monegasque. “This circuit may seem simple on paper, but it is not. The temperature variations here in Las Vegas are huge, and tire management will be crucial.”
A theme, that of temperatures, which could prove crucial: “We have a car that is delicate with the tyres, but we often struggle to get them into the right window of use for the flying lap. We have worked on it and we think we have made progress”.
A stronger team in the second half of the season
Leclerc also highlighted the change in mentality within the Ferrari team compared to the past and also compared to the first phase of the season. “I think we are now much calmer and more solid as a team,” Leclerc said. “We don’t let ourselves be influenced by emotions like we did one or two years ago. Now we approach each race with more awareness and this helps us stay focused.”
Looking at his personal goals, Leclerc said he wants to aim for second place in the Drivers' Championship, currently occupied by Lando Norris, but the main focus remains on contributing to the Constructors' title: “After the recent results there is a lot of energy in the team. We have three races and a Sprint still to go, lots of points up for grabs, and we won’t give up the fight.”
The unknowns of the technical directive
However, Ferrari's weekend could be complicated by the new technical directive introduced by the FIA starting from Las Vegas. The ban on using protections on skid blocks could penalize the Maranello cars, forcing them to raise the ride height to avoid excessive wear of the floor, thus compromising the balance and performance.
Leclerc was tight-lipped on this topic, but the Scuderia will have to prove once again that it is ready to adapt to keep its championship ambitions alive. “We are focused on what we can control and we will try to maximize the result,” concluded the Monegasque.
The last word on the track
The Las Vegas track, with its very long straights and slow corners, could on paper favor Ferrari, but much will depend on the weather conditions and the ability to manage the delicate balance between tires and set-up. Leclerc and the Prancing Horse are ready to give their all in what could be a decisive turning point for the fate of the championship.
Source statements: FormulaPassion
