Max Verstappen and Red Bull may have claimed a dominant victory in São Paulo, but this weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix presents a new set of challenges, with the circuit’s unique characteristics and cooler weather conditions expected to test the teams. While Ruth Buscombe still considers Verstappen the favorite due to his exceptional driving ability, she hasn’t ruled out Charles Leclerc and Ferrari’s chances either.
“I don’t think anyone will bet against Max Verstappen this weekend based on pure driving skill, especially after his performance in Brazil. But when it comes to car performance, Las Vegas is a Ferrari track on paper,” Buscombe shared on F1’s Weekend Warm-Up.
She also revealed a conversation with Leclerc, where she expressed her belief that he could secure a win in Las Vegas. While Leclerc appreciated the compliment, he jokingly told Buscombe, “Don’t jinx me,” perhaps reflecting his superstitious side.
Buscombe pointed out two key factors that could work in Leclerc’s favor. First, the Ferrari driver’s ability to set blistering lap times during qualifying, and second, the circuit’s low-speed corners, which may suit both Leclerc and Ferrari’s setup.
Looking at last year’s race in Sin City, Ferrari showed impressive pace, especially in qualifying. Leclerc secured pole position, while teammate Carlos Sainz posted the second-fastest time. Despite their speed, Verstappen ultimately triumphed, likely due to his superior driving and Red Bull’s race pace—a factor Buscombe acknowledged.
While Ferrari is drawing a lot of attention this weekend, Mercedes shouldn’t be overlooked. Both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell were fast in Thursday’s practice sessions. Hamilton topped both FP1 and FP2, while Russell placed second in FP1 and third in FP2.
Hamilton, surprised by Mercedes’ improved pace after recent struggles, cautioned against getting too excited, stating that race pace remains a challenge for them. With the Las Vegas track being overtaking-friendly, race performance may prove more crucial than qualifying times when it comes to securing points. This could work in Ferrari’s favor, even if Mercedes locks out the front row.
As for Ferrari, they’ll be hoping to capitalize on this weekend’s race to close the gap in the Constructors’ Championship. With just three races left in the season, Ferrari trails McLaren by 36 points, making every point crucial for their title bid.
