Ferrari optimistic that Las Vegas GP might turn out to be another Singapore repeat: ‘We are confident that we can be competitive’

Jock Clear, Senior Performance Engineer at Ferrari, commented on the Prancing Horse’s chances at the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Ferrari optimistic that Las Vegas GP might turn out to be another Singapore repeat: ‘We are confident that we can be competitive’

Ferrari drivers - Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz (via Imago)

Ferrari remain to be the only team other than Red Bull to boast a Grand Prix win in 2023 as the scarlet car of Carlos Sainz took the chequered flag at Singapore. The upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend has long been the highlight of the 2023 race calendar and is slated to be one of the grandest races of all time. The entire paddock has looked excited for the Grand Prix throughout the year. Recently, Jock Clear, Ferrari’s Senior Performance Engineer, revealed the team’s ambitions at the much-awaited race weekend.

Clear mentioned how the SF23 prefers ‘low-downforce’ circuits and further talked about how the Vegas Strip layout might prove to favor the Scarlet cars during the weekend. The Performance Engineer later stated that he expects a competitive race from his team.

According to our indications, it will be a low-load circuit. For this reason, we are confident that we can be competitive.
Jock Clear talked about Ferrari’s chances, as reported by F1ingenerale.

The Ferrari man later talked about how the SF23 has proven to be an “unpredictable machine” and further mentioned the team’s goals of taming this very nature of the car as the team braces itself for the 2024 season.

As the entire paddock finds itself in the twilight of the 2023 season, several fans wish for a team to pose a considerable challenge to the dominant Red Bulls. It will be great to see the Ferraris competing for the win a the stunning road race layout this weekend.

Christian Horner’s advice for Ferrari

Ferrari, often hailed as the Italian Stallion, holds an indelible place in Formula 1’s storied history, having participated in every season of the Formula One World Championship. The iconic Scarlet cars boast the highest number of titles in both Driver’s Championships and Constructor’s Championships. The team boasts a remarkable record of 16 Grand Prix titles and 243 Grand Prix victories. However, Despite this illustrious history, the team has faced its most challenging period in recent years, enduring a 16-season drought without a Grand Prix Title, the longest in their Formula 1 journey.

Christian Horner (via Planet F1)
Christian Horner (via Planet F1)

Christian Horner, the head of Red Bull, a contemporary powerhouse in Formula 1, shared insights into the challenges Ferrari currently confronts. Horner believes that Ferrari, once a pure racing team, has evolved into more of a national institution. His advice to the Italian giant is to rediscover its roots as a racing-centric entity. 

I think Ferrari's biggest problem is that it's a national team. It has to be a racing team again.

Horner further highlighted the impact of too many voices within Ferrari, contributing to a lack of clarity and quick decision-making. Red Bull’s strength, according to Horner, lies in its ability to swiftly adapt and make decisive choices, a trait he suggests Ferrari should embrace to navigate its way back to the top step of the podium.