The recent Formula 1 GP in Las Vegas offered several intriguing moments, but one in particular caught my attention. During the first stint, Charles Leclerc, capitalizing on a less-than-optimal start by Carlos Sainz, moved into second place, setting his sights on George Russell. On the fifth lap, Leclerc attempted an overtake at the end of the long straight, but Russell defended firmly. Shortly after, Leclerc tried to edge alongside Russell at the turn before the finish line, making another attempt at Turn 1, which was again blocked by the number 63 Mercedes.
This move elicited an enthusiastic reaction from italian commentator Carlo Vanzini, who exclaimed, "You can't do that here, Charles!" as if Leclerc were attempting an extreme overtake on a challenging turn like Pouhon, rather than one that, for modern F1 cars, is nearly a straight line. After that lap, Leclerc began to suffer from graining, a common issue in Las Vegas due to the asphalt and low temperatures, which had already been evident during free practice and proved decisive for the GP. His pace dropped sharply, forcing the Ferrari team to call him into the pits.
Meanwhile, Sainz and Verstappen took advantage of the situation to overtake him, though Sainz soon began experiencing the same problem, allowing Verstappen to pull away.
Russell and Hamilton’s Mercedes cars, however, seemed immune to the graining, while the McLarens struggled to maintain a competitive pace and control the degradation of the medium tires. A logical reading of the race would suggest that Ferrari struggled with the medium tires, while Mercedes, likely due to better management of the load on the front tires, avoided the issue.
Instead, the narrative shifted to another interpretation, attributing Leclerc’s drop in performance to his "racing spirit" rather than a strategic issue.
It’s curious how Leclerc, praised for his feats in Monza, is now criticized for not managing the race in Las Vegas better. Sainz faced a similar drop but was seen as more cautious.
The reality is that in such situations, the behavior of Pirelli tires can be unpredictable, varying based on factors like temperature, asphalt, and compounds. Rather than oversimplifying, it would be beneficial to have a constructive discussion on the issues surrounding tire management in F1.
Unfortunately, interpretations often adapt to the moment’s needs, influencing fans’ comments as well. When prominent figures endorse questionable theories, they spread easily, distorting the public’s perception of the sport’s complexity.
© Simone Marchetti