Ferrari have introduced a series of performance updates for the Las Vegas GP.
2024 has been an up-and-down year for Scuderia Ferrari, and heading into the Las Vegas GP this weekend, they may have the chance to ensure a very positive end to their season.
Following a tough Interlagos outing, Ferrari sit just 36 points off championship leaders McLaren ahead of the Las Vegas GP. In this tight battle heading into Las Vegas, every point matters. And as such, Ferrari has bolstered their package heading into this year’s Las Vegas, with a series of performance upgrades.
The Italian team have experienced an uptick in form as F1 returned from the autumn break. Wins in Austin and Mexico City have brought the team back into championship contention, after a dour spell mid-season.
The team will dare to dream heading into Vegas, for a strong score gives them the best possible shot at a championship. With two more weekends to go, including the sprint weekend in Qatar, Ferrari must be on top form to challenge for the title.
Adding to the expectations, McLaren team principal Andrea Stella expressed how the Las Vegas venue could suit Ferrari. His words could come to be very true. Considering the long straights into slow corners, the Scuderia’s top-end speed could be a handy advantage across the weekend.
How did Ferrari fare during last year’s Las Vegas GP?
Ferrari arrived in Las Vegas in 2023 on the back of a consistent run of form. Heading into Sin City, the team in red sat 20 points behind their closest rivals Mercedes. In the city of gambling, the odds were certainly on the Reds to dominate.
The SF23 proved to be one of the quickest last time out in Vegas. Although the Ferrari chewed through its tyres quicker, it often made up ground thanks to its immense top speed. Charles Leclerc was the quickest driver through the speed trap in race trim, clocking a staggering 218 mph (350 kph) during the race.
The low temperatures also took tyre wear out of the equation. With the Ferrari also good at warming up its tyres, this made it an able package around the Las Vegas Strip Circuit. Leclerc topped Friday’s Free Practice sessions and took pole position for the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
On the other hand, teammate Carlos Sainz suffered a major incident in Free Practice 1. His Ferrari hit a loose drain cover, causing irreparable damage to the chassis. Forced to take a fresh chassis, Sainz was given a ten-place grid drop for the race. This meant he started 12th, having finished second in qualifying.
While Sainz experienced a spin and dropped towards the rear of the field, Leclerc set about challenging for victory. While Verstappen had gotten ahead, he received a five-second penalty for pushing Leclerc off at turn one on lap one. Leclerc overtook the Dutchman just before he dived into the pits to serve his penalty. It was a day when another driver was finally able to give the all-conquering Red Bulls a run for their money.
Leclerc scrapped away with both Red Bulls in the race. While Perez got ahead after Leclerc locked up into Turn 12 on Lap 42, the Monegasque clung on. With one last overtaking zone on the last lap to go, Leclerc dived down the inside into Turn 14, in a stunning overtake on Perez. This helped him claim second, while Sainz managed to finish sixth by the flag, ahead of both Mercedes’.
How are Ferrari placed heading into this year’s Las Vegas GP?
The Scuderia have unleashed further performance updates heading into the Las Vegas GP weekend, in a bid to boost championship aspirations. This could well provide them further performance upticks heading into the important stages of the weekend.
Ferrari have introduced a front wing tweak suited to the needs of the Vegas circuit. This low downforce configuration would go in hand with the rear wing specification required for the circuit’s long straights.
The Italian team have also introduced several floor updates. The floor edges and body feature a revamped design, as well as the camber. ‘Not event specific’ reads the FIA explanation, though. The updates are a result of mathematical models worked out by the Scuderia in the wind tunnel, and run in a bid to correlate the data in the simulator with that on the racetrack.
How will Ferrari fare in this year’s Las Vegas GP?
Tyre warm-up will be a big factor in the race. With ambient temperatures set to be in the window of 10-20 degrees Celsius at night in Vegas, teams will find it difficult to bring the tyres up to their optimal working temperature.
While Ferrari have sorted out their tyre wear woes this year, it has created a new headache for them. The Italian team have often found it difficult to warm up their tyres in colder temperatures. This has hurt them earlier in the season, particularly in China, when both drivers qualified outside the top five for the race.
Both Leclerc and Sainz were encouraged by the race pace in Free Practice on Thursday. Leclerc finished fifth in Free Practice 2, just behind Sainz in fourth.
While both drivers displayed great race pace, the warm-up issues could come back to bite them in one-lap pace. Ferrari expressed they have some homework to do to replicate their pole position from 2023.
However, both drivers expressed how this has been the story all season long. The Scuderia have often been slower in qualifying, before showcasing improved race pace. Both of Leclerc’s victories post the summer break have come from fourth on the grid, highlighting the changing form of the team.
All in all, count the Scuderia out of a fight for victory at your own risk. The Ferrari has been a speedy car down the straights, and Las Vegas features a two-kilometre-long straight to boot.
Even if the team qualify lower down, you can certainly expect them to utilise the speed on race day to potentially claim victory, and further their bid for a first world championship in over 15 years.
