Carlos Sainz has emerged as a strong contender for victory at the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix after narrowly missing out on pole position to George Russell.
The Spaniard delivered an impressive qualifying performance, but Russell capitalised on Mercedes' one-lap pace to snatch the top spot.
Sainz, however, remains optimistic about Ferrari's race pace and believes starting second gives him a great chance to challenge for the win.
"It was a tricky and very tight qualifying session. I thought I had pole, but George came through with a fantastic lap. Mercedes were extremely fast today," Sainz remarked after stepping out of his Ferrari SF-24.
Despite the setback, he acknowledged Russell's performance and the slight advantage Mercedes hold in qualifying over Ferrari.
Sainz's confidence stems from Ferrari's consistent race pace in recent rounds.
Reflecting on his previous Las Vegas experience, where a freak incident involving a loose drain cover ruined his race, Sainz said, "I feel comfortable here. Last year, I could've fought for a good result if not for the drain cover issue. This time, I'm ready to fight."
Looking ahead, Sainz is cautiously optimistic about Ferrari's ability to manage tyres better than their rivals, a key factor on the high-speed Las Vegas circuit.
"Tomorrow, it's a clean slate. We'll see how the car handles with higher fuel loads. I'm confident in our race pace, but Mercedes looked strong as well. It won't be easy, but we've got a real chance," he explained.
Ferrari's strong qualifying saw both their cars outpace McLaren, whose errors proved costly. With the championship battle intensifying, Sainz sees this race as an opportunity to gain crucial points. "We need wins to challenge McLaren. Qatar won't suit us, so we have to make the most of tomorrow. Victory is the goal," he concluded.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix promises a thrilling 50-lap race on a 6.120-kilometre street circuit that will see speeds rival those of Monza. With Ferrari's strong race pace and Sainz's determination, the stage is set for an intense battle under the neon lights of the Strip.
