Both Ferrari drivers set sights on Las Vegas win as Leclerc explains ‘nightmare’ end to qualifying

Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc have expressed their confidence about fighting for victory during Saturday night’s Las Vegas Grand Prix, after contrasting runs to second and fourth on the grid respectively in qualifying.

While Mercedes built on their strong practice pace – having topped FP1, FP2 and FP3 – to claim pole position with George Russell, it was Sainz who emerged as their closest rival and duly secured a front row start.

READ MORE: Russell charges to pole for Las Vegas Grand Prix over Sainz and Gasly

“It must have been a good lap, to get within a tenth of George and the Mercedes that has been clearly dominating all weekend,” Sainz commented after qualifying. “At the same time, it puts us in a good position for tomorrow, to try and go for the win.

“Everything’s open, too many variables to predict what’s going to happen tomorrow, but at least we’ve put ourselves in I think the best position to go for it.”

Asked what he expects to make the difference on Saturday night, the Spaniard added: “I think trying to control the graining on the medium tyres and then switching on the hard quickly and having good grip with the hard.

“I think this year we haven’t been particularly good on harder tyres, because our car is really good on tyres, and this could play a bit against us. At the same time, our pace seemed good yesterday on the long run, so I’m optimistic that we can still get that win.”

READ MORE: ‘Sometimes you’ve got to put it on the table’ – Russell reflects on ‘real surprise’ pole in Las Vegas

Meanwhile, Leclerc expressed frustration over a “nightmare” end to his qualifying session as he admitted that team mate Sainz has so far done a better job of getting Pirelli’s tyres in their ideal operating window this weekend.

“The pace is there… [I’m] very fast after three laps but in qualifying you cannot afford to do that,” he reflected. “Carlos has been much better than me since FP1 in putting the tyres in the right window for the first lap – he’s done a better job in qualifying doing that.

“I really tried my best to try and improve but, for whatever reason, and I don’t have the explanation for now, in Q3 my last run was a nightmare... The front [tyres] were ice cold and I had like a crazy understeer all around through the lap.”

Despite that “strange” experience, Leclerc echoed Sainz’s sentiments about being in the fight for victory on Saturday – with Alpine’s Pierre Gasly the other driver lining up ahead of him.

READ MORE: Verstappen concedes Red Bull ‘too slow’ around Las Vegas as he takes P5 in qualifying

“I think we are strong in the race pace, so that’s a good thing,” he said. “We’ll do our best to try and come back. I’m not only targeting the podium; it would be nice to have a win. I think the pace is there and if we do everything perfect this is achievable.”

Ferrari head into the race holding second position in the constructors’ championship, 36 points behind leaders McLaren, who will start sixth and eighth with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri respectively.

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