Ferrari could realistically challenge for pole position at the Las Vegas Grand Prix based on what the team has shown so far. Here are some interesting insights that emerged from the free practice sessions.
Ferrari looks strong in early practice
The Maranello squad could pull off a major result in qualifying, potentially claiming pole position at Las Vegas. Let’s break down some of the key data from Ferrari’s initial free practice runs.
We saw the SF-25 on track with a low-downforce setup, although the Monza rear wing was only used in the second session. Charles Leclerc reported excellent feedback but feels there is still room for improvement and wants to make some adjustments. Lewis Hamilton, on the other hand, did not achieve the expected results, but he admitted he likes the car balance and does not intend to make major changes. FP3 will be crucial to understand track evolution, especially if the rain does not arrive.
Power to traction and maximized braking
According to the analysis published by F1 expert Federico Albano, Charles Leclerc’s feedback could make the difference. The #16 driver placed third in FP2 even running the yellow medium tyres. Ferrari has opted for a slightly higher downforce level compared to rivals. Maranello engineers want to monitor how track grip evolves to decide the optimal downforce level for the cars. Both Charles Leclerc’s and Lewis Hamilton’s garages have the trimmed and “extreme” Monza rear wing available. The SF-25 has shown excellent characteristics in the cold Las Vegas conditions.
“We have seen excellent traction, thanks also to a bit of power shifted lower in the delivery, and great braking confidence from both drivers, aspects that are crucial on a track where the longitudinal axis of the car matters most.” Delivering power efficiently in acceleration phases is key to gaining time per lap. Low temperatures also favor Ferrari, allowing maximum use of the braking system, which often suffers in heat. Both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton brake very hard. In the slower sections, particularly the central sector, the Monegasque driver set the fastest time. Everything is still to be decided, but starting like this is a very positive signal, and pole position is within reach.
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