Leclerc Explains “Everything Went Wrong” at the Las Vegas Grand Prix

Charles Leclerc’s Dramatic Race

Charles Leclerc faced a challenging race at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, starting strong but ultimately finishing fourth. The Ferrari driver endured tense moments, leading him to reflect on what might have been had circumstances played out differently. His experience highlights the unpredictable nature of Formula 1 racing.

Strong Start but Disappointing Outcome

Leclerc made an impression right from Lap 1, overtaking both Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and his Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz. He then targeted Mercedes’ George Russell, who was leading the race. However, an unsuccessful overtaking maneuver caused Leclerc to fall behind, quickly allowing the cars he had just passed to catch up. His troubles began when he was forced to pit on Lap 10 due to issues with his medium tires, which ultimately set back his race strategy.

Improved Performance on Hard Tires

After switching tires, Leclerc performed better during the next two stints on hard compounds. Yet, he could not climb higher than P4 despite overtaking both Sainz and 2024 World Champion Max Verstappen. Reflecting on his performance, Leclerc said: “I was really excited to start in P2, but unfortunately, things quickly went downhill because I pushed the tires too hard.” In an interview with Sky Sports F1, Leclerc discussed the frustration he expressed over the radio to the pit crew after the race. He remarked: “Whenever disappointments like this happen, it’s clear there’s no broader context for everyone to understand.” While frustrated, he emphasized that his feelings didn’t change anything for the team.

When asked about potential favoritism towards Sainz, Leclerc clarified: “No, it’s not about favoritism; it’s about the decisions we’ve made as a team.” He insisted that everything was fine and refrained from delving deeper into the team’s decision-making process, showcasing his commitment to team unity.

Ferrari’s Current Standing

With P3 and P4 finishes, Ferrari is now only 24 points behind championship leaders McLaren, who finished sixth and seventh. Leclerc commented: “We could have expected a bit more this weekend. We were concerned about tire warming issues, which turned out to be true.” His acknowledgment of the challenges emphasizes the competitive landscape of the championship.

Leclerc concluded by acknowledging Mercedes’ dominance in the race and expressing hope for Ferrari’s improvement in the upcoming rounds. Despite the setbacks, the Monaco-born driver remains optimistic and determined to achieve better results in the races ahead, indicating his resilience in the face of adversity.