At the start of the 2024 Formula 1 Las Vegas GP, it will be a battle in turn 1: George Russell’s Mercedes will have to defend against Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari, determined to take the lead from the British driver as soon as possible.
It is a Ferrari that approaches the Las Vegas GP with confidence after a strong performance in Saturday’s qualifying. The most critical point for the SF-24, its single-lap performance, has been addressed. Now, the Scuderia team can carefully plan the strategic approach for a race that promises to be delicate and unpredictable.
Attack in turn 1? This year, there’s more grip…
The Spanish Ferrari driver, in the press conference, admitted Mercedes’ superiority in warming up the tires. “They were particularly fast in the first sector; they were one step ahead of us.” However, the situation is set to change: “In the race, everything changes. Everyone will have to deal with graining, running with a full tank of fuel in conditions that will be very different. Everything is up for grabs.”
Carlos Sainz is pleased to have beaten McLaren and Red Bull. For the Madrid native, “the result in qualifying is the best we could have achieved.”
Now, the race will be a different story. Carlos Sainz wants to win at the 6.2-kilometre Las Vegas Strip Circuit in Nevada, USA, knows he has a great chance, and is considering an immediate attack on the pole-sitter: “The race isn’t won or lost in turn 1, although there’s more grip there this year. We’ll see…”
The 30-year-old Ferrari driver continues: “The hope is to get a good start and pass George at the first corner. At the same time, though, the grip could decrease, there are many uncertainties, and many opportunities to overtake during the race.”
Confidence and caution: Carlos Sainz fears the hard tires
Carlos Sainz is confident, and the SF-24 is giving good sensations: “I think we should have the pace to fight for the win.” He is aware of his capabilities but also remains cautious: “There are many questions. A key factor will be controlling the graining,” explains the Ferrari driver. Secondly, but just as importantly, tire management will be delicate and crucial.
The #55 driver knows he is driving a car that is strong on the yellow-banded tires: “Even though we’ve seen some struggle with the medium compound, it doesn’t matter. The hard tires will mix things up because no one has tried them, and we know we’re not the best at managing the hard tires this year.” – the Spanish driver pointed out at the end of the qualifying session for the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Although he doesn’t want to be arrogant, Carlos Sainz is confident the win is within reach: “There are many uncertainties, but I’m confident: we can fight for the win.”
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