Max Verstappen has dominated the 2023 Formula 1 season, winning 17 races and clinching the world championship with the season having four races to spare. His dominance is due to a combination of factors, including a strong car, superb driving, experience, and team support. Coming to the Las Vegas GP, one would expect that Verstappen would be triumphant again given the straight-line speed of the RB19 and the abundance of straights on the Vegas track. Although, Ferrari is also touted to be a tough competitor, based on similar characteristics.

However, former Ferrari boss Peter Windsor is predicting that it is going to be Charles Leclerc and Ferrari who will triumph at the upcoming Las Vegas GP. Windsor believes that the Las Vegas track is perfectly suited to the SF-23’s strengths.

The first-ever Las Vegas GP for Charles Leclerc and Ferrari: Windsor’s take

“I think Ferrari will be strong,” Windsor said in response to a fan’s question. “Yeah, I mean, let’s have a look at the Vegas track. Lots of straights there, aren’t there? I was talking to a couple of engineers today and they all said, yeah, yeah, you know, Monza spec almost in terms of wings, downforce level. A lot of straights there. So, on that basis, not just because Ferrari went well at Monza, but because, as we know, Ferrari is pretty good in a straight line, pretty good high-speed braking, pretty good functional race car, assuming they’re reliable. And so, yeah, they should go quite well around Vegas.”

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Windsor went on to say that if Red Bull has a bad weekend, Ferrari could very well win the race. “I mean, if Red Bull had a bad weekend, Ferrari could very well win it. Yes, absolutely. But I’ve said before, I think Ferrari will go well in Vegas. I think the circuit is made for them.”

Noticeably, Ferrari has shown some promising signs in recent races, with Carlos Sainz winning the Singapore Grand Prix. It remains to be seen whether Ferrari can challenge Red Bull for the win at the Las Vegas GP, but Windsor’s prediction is certainly intriguing.

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Windsor’s analysis births many whys, hows, ifs, and coulds. Delving deeper into some peculiar aspects presents some possible reasoning for Windsor’s vote of confidence for Ferrari.

Ferrari’s chances of winning at the Las Vegas GP

The 2023 Singapore GP unfolded as a tale of contrasting fortunes for Red Bull and Ferrari. The RB19 surprisingly faltered in grip and cornering confidence. This Achilles’ heel was glaringly apparent during the qualifying rounds, where Red Bull’s cars lagged behind their Ferrari counterparts, particularly in exiting the corners. It wasn’t just about being a tad slower; it was about a noticeable struggle with stability that saw them sliding rather than slicing through the turns.

On the flip side, Ferrari’s performance was nothing short of a masterclass in adaptability and strategy. In the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, the Ferrari SF-23 emerged as big of a force as ever. A twist of fate during the Monza race reshuffled the deck. A red flag disruption turned the tide in Ferrari’s favor. Post-interruption, Leclerc, and Sainz unleashed a blistering pace, possibly due to shrewd tire management or fuel strategy adjustments. This incident underscored Ferrari’s ability to pivot and excel under evolving race conditions.

At the Singapore GP, Ferrari’s decision to start on Soft tires paid dividends, offering them a grip advantage right off the bat. In contrast, Red Bull’s gamble on Hard tires to extend their first stint didn’t quite pan out as planned. Ferrari’s adeptness in tire management and their nimble response to the ebb and flow of race dynamics, including the pivotal pit lane traffic under Safety Car conditions, were key to their success. The team’s adaptability was further highlighted when they received a radio command to push hard towards the race’s end, to which they responded with readiness.

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The Las Vegas circuit is a new one for F1, so it is difficult to say exactly how it will suit the different cars. However, the circuit is expected to be very demanding, with a mix of high-speed corners and long straights. This could play into Ferrari’s hands. Their triumphs at Monza and Singapore were a testament to their superior tire management, flexibility under variable conditions, and astute strategic calls. But, Red Bull will be a tough opponent, and the Scuderia will need to be at its best to defeat them.