Leclerc battles from ninth in Vegas after wet qualifying woes
Charles Leclerc will start the Las Vegas Grand Prix from ninth place after a difficult wet qualifying session. The Ferrari driver admitted overtaking could prove tough in dry race conditions. Despite this, he remains determined to push for a strong result.
Ferrari entered the weekend with competitive pace in practice. But cold temperatures during qualifying worsened their long-standing struggles with tyre warm-up in wet conditions. Leclerc has often faced issues in rainy sessions, and this time was no different.
The team has spent years trying to fix their wet-weather performance. Yet no clear solution has emerged, even after extensive testing. Public records show no major changes to Ferrari’s road or race car designs specifically targeting rain performance.
Leclerc last won in Austin 2024, over a year ago. While he acknowledges the challenge of fighting from ninth, he insists he is not dwelling on the few races left in the SF-25. Instead, he remains focused on maximising every opportunity.
Tyre warm-up in the wet has been a recurring problem, but Leclerc does not believe it is the only issue. The team’s broader struggles in damp conditions have persisted, leaving them vulnerable when races or qualifiers turn wet.
Leclerc heads into the race with limited overtaking chances due to his starting spot and expected dry track. His ninth-place grid position reflects Ferrari’s ongoing battle with wet conditions. The team will now aim to recover ground in a race where passing may be hard to come by.
