The Prancing Horse winks at Las Vegas
Considering the characteristics of the track and those of the SF-23, Ferrari is looking optimistically at the third and final American weekend of the year.
The brand-new layout of Las Vegas, in fact, presents itself as a “stop & go” circuit, characterized by low-speed turns followed by long straights.
It is precisely on this type of tracks (similar to those in Singapore and Baku, for example) that the Scuderia has achieved the best results in 2023. The SF-23, in fact, adapts well to low-speed turns and manages to generate excellent top speed, while it does not like (to say the least, struggles with) sequences of medium-high-speed turns. The configuration of the American track should, at least on paper, favor Ferrari over its direct rivals, such as McLaren, Mercedes, and a resurgent Aston Martin. In the paddock, there are rumors that the Prancing Horse could even aim for a coup, challenging for victory against the dominant Red Bull.
The huge obstacle
However, be careful not to have expectations too high. In Nevada next weekend, temperatures around 5°C are expected, which will undoubtedly affect the tires.
The SF-23, in fact, is not known for its ability to heat the tires quickly and bring them immediately into the right operating window. On the contrary, the Scuderia has struggled throughout this season whenever the track was not sufficiently warm, letting slip results that, in optimal weather conditions, would have been within reach.
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Hope dies last
The goal of this concise consideration is not to dampen the spirits of Ferrari fans but to anticipate a difficulty that, in all likelihood, the team will have to overcome in the penultimate weekend of the year. It is clear that if the Scuderia manages to get the tires into the right operating window, the chances of victory, or at least a podium, would increase exponentially. Otherwise, given the importance of tires in modern Formula 1, what is a dream in the approach to Las Vegas could suddenly turn into a nightmare.
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