WATCH: Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc battle it out on the streets of Sin City during Las Vegas GP FP2

Leclerc and Verstappen fought for track position in FP2 ahead of Qualifying.

WATCH: Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc battle it out on the streets of Sin City during Las Vegas GP FP2

Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc (via IMAGO)

The Las Vegas GP weekend is finally upon us, as the first two practice sessions for the sensational race have concluded. The practice sessions gave fans the first look at the cars on the brand-new circuit and its many unique features.

The qualifying and race are yet to commence, but on Friday, hints of racing have finally touched the Sin City after a year of anticipation. The last session before qualifying saw Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen clash over track position. The 2022 rivals had a small battle under the lights, giving us the first taste of racing action at the circuit. 

Leclerc ended up topping the timing sheets for FP2, ahead of teammate Carlos Sainz. Ferrari is hopeful for a great weekend in Las Vegas, despite the controversial 10-place grid penalty for Sainz. Leclerc will be vying for his first win since the 2022 Austrian GP after his Spanish teammate achieved his second victory in Singapore.

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Charles Leclerc thinks Red Bull will be too strong to beat at the Las Vegas GP

Charles Leclerc topped both practice sessions under the lights in Las Vegas, inciting hope in the Ferrari garage. The Maranello-based team has had a decent season in 2023, making what they could of a year where Red Bull is invincible. With a race win in Singapore under their belt, they are aiming for more results in Las Vegas.

Charles Leclerc in Las Vegas
Charles Leclerc in Las Vegas (via the Scuderia Ferrari Press Office)

However, Charles Leclerc thinks otherwise about the Scuderia’s performance. After running both the race trim as well as the qualifying spec in the practice sessions, the Monegasque driver was not sufficiently confident. Leclerc said that Ferrari would reiterate their usual stellar form in Qualifying, but lack in race pace.

In qualifying we’ll be there… in race pace I think Red Bull are still too strong
Charles Leclerc said, as reported by formula1.com

Ferrari has suffered from tire degradation issues for more than a year now, hurting them in the races. But though Leclerc has less than ecstatic hopes for the Grand Prix, Ferrari will have one less thing to worry about. Las Vegas’s brand-new track surface and cold temperatures will take the tire issues away from Ferrari’s woes, giving them a chance to fight for the podium’s top step.

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