Charles Leclerc disappointed despite clinching pole position in Vegas thriller

Despite the celebratory mood, Leclerc expressed disappointment in his performance during the final qualifying lap, acknowledging that there was untapped potential left on the track.

Leclerc narrowly outpaced his teammate Carlos Sainz to claim the top spot, but a 10-place grid penalty for Sainz means that Red Bull's Max Verstappen will share the front row with Leclerc. Verstappen, who has dominated the F1 season, finished four-tenths behind the Monegasque driver at the chequered flag.

Reflecting on his pole position, Leclerc admitted, "Obviously it's an incredible event, and to be starting from pole is great. However, I'm disappointed with my laps in Q3. I didn't do a good enough job, but it was enough for P1. So that's all we need."

Despite his pole success, Leclerc is yet to secure a race victory this season, even though he has claimed pole position in nearly a quarter of the events. Red Bull has consistently showcased a faster car over race distances, highlighting the challenge Ferrari faces.

Looking ahead to the Grand Prix, Leclerc expressed optimism about Ferrari's chances and emphasized the team's focus on race performance. He said, "Now we focus on tomorrow to try and put everything together in the race. Normally that's where we lack the most performance. So I hope we can put it all together and win here. Hopefully, we work hard enough to win and then have a good party to celebrate that win."

The Las Vegas Grand Prix, with its thrilling 14-turn street circuit spanning over six kilometres, promises an exciting spectacle for Formula 1 fans. Notably, the track's lengthy straight across the Strip allows for top speeds of around 342 kilometres per hour, creating an atmosphere that rivals the iconic Monza for average speeds.

As Charles Leclerc eyes redemption in the race after his pole position triumph, the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix sets the stage for a high-stakes battle on the demanding street circuit, where every twist and turn could determine the outcome of this thrilling F1 event.

 

Read More: Ferrari's Charles Leclerc nails pole position for Las Vegas Grand Prix (planetsport.com)