The Nevada circuit is not an easy one to understand. While qualifying brought some surprises, Ferrari can be satisfied with their performance: the team heads into the Las Vegas GP as the favorite, but graining and hard tires could create chaos and unexpected situations.
As the sun sets over Las Vegas in November, the temperatures drop drastically. During the Nevada night, the cars will battle for the penultimate trophy of the season, facing cold and unpredictable tires. Getting the tires into the right operating window is a challenge for everyone, even in qualifying. Preparing for a flying lap is even more delicate than usual, especially for an SF-24, which doesn’t excel in this particular area.
Despite the long-standing difficulties Ferrari faces in qualifying, the cold conditions in Las Vegas do not dampen the spirits of the team. Carlos Sainz missed pole by a whisker, while Charles Leclerc narrowly missed third place. Both Ferrari drivers will start from second and fourth positions, putting them at an advantage over their McLaren rivals at the start of the race.
Q3 was positive, but Ferrari’s strength is not in qualifying. Over the weekend, Ferrari proved to be a strong contender in race pace, as shown by their free practice simulations. The Scuderia is favored to win on the Strip, but the race holds a specific unknown factor that could pose a challenge.
Hard Tires, the Big Unknown of the Las Vegas GP
It’s not just the poorly “rubbered” street circuit, the proximity to the walls, and the cold temperatures that worry the teams. After qualifying, the drivers agree: a crucial factor for Saturday night in Las Vegas will be the hard tire.
Ferrari favored, but Oscar Piastri and George Russell Warn: “Beware of the Hard Tires”
The pit stop strategies in Nevada do not define a clear “preferred” tactical plan. One or two stops could be an option, and the choice may change. Many variables are at play, but the hard tire will be the main challenge, along with graining. “It will be a concern not only for us, it will be a tricky factor for everyone,” explained Oscar Piastri. The Australian highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the hard tire, which has not yet been tested in practice: “We think most of the race will be on hard tires, which no one has used yet.”
McLaren’s George Russell agrees, echoing Piastri’s sentiment: “Will we be stronger or weaker than Ferrari on race pace? I think it will be a similar situation for both of us. 75% of the race will be on hard tires, but practically no one has tried them. With the medium tires, it will be a challenge. It will be a long race.”
“We’ll start with the medium tires, then we’ll see what happens,” added Mercedes’ #63, confirming the general uncertainty. Some expect a fight-filled race, never straightforward, with sudden performance drops and variable, delicate tire management. In free practice, Ferrari appeared the most lively, especially with Leclerc, who was considered “the most competitive on long runs” by Toto Wolff, but nothing is decided yet. The Las Vegas GP looks set to be far from a monotonous, calm race to manage.
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