F1 news: What are Ferrari’s chances of getting a podium in the Las Vegas Grand Prix?
Ferrari will be hoping to score at least a podium at the Las Vegas Grand Prix this weekend, as they look to gain ground in the Constructors’ Championship.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Ayla Vaughan reviews the Italian team's previous podiums in Las Vegas and assesses the likelihood of a repeat in 2025.
Charles Leclerc’s success in Las Vegas
Since this track came on the scene in 2023, Ferrari have found the Las Vegas GP to be very compatible with their cars and drivers, especially Charles Leclerc.
The clearest evidence of this is that Leclerc scored a second place finish in Las Vegas in 2023, finishing just two seconds behind Max Verstappen.
He also got pole position in that race, but was unable to convert it into a win due to Red Bull having a better car and strategy by pitting during the safety car.
Furthermore, the Monegasque finished in fourth in 2024, with his teammate finishing one place ahead, showing that they suit this type of track.
It is therefore not unreasonable to predict that Leclerc scores near the top of the grid, providing that he is competitive to Verstappen, the McLarens and the Mercedes.
The 28-year-old also needs to bring it home so that Ferrari can move back up to second in the Constructors’ Championship standings.
The Italian team currently sits in fourth after scoring no points in São Paulo, Brazil and are only four points behind Red Bull in third.
Leclerc will also hope to prove Ferrari chairman John Elkann wrong after he said the drivers “need to focus on driving and talk less” after the Prancing Horses won the title in the World Endurance Championship (WEC).
Likelihood of Ferrari scoring a podium at the Las Vegas GP
The seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has also had previous success at this circuit and will hope to perhaps get his first podium here as a Ferrari driver.
For example, the Brit finished in second in 2024 (despite qualifying in 10th place) behind his former team-mate George Russell who crossed the chequered flag first.
Additionally, in 2023 he finished in seventh ahead of Russell by one place, where the 40-year-old struggled more compared to the following year’s performance.
The Italian team has not secured any wins this year, but Leclerc has scored seven podiums over the season thus far and has outscored his team-mate regularly.
Consequently, the Monegasque has a higher likelihood of getting a podium in the Las Vegas GP than most, especially given his familiarity with the track and past performances.
Hamilton is a bit more of an unknown factor as he has struggled driving the SF-25 this year and may be unable to replicate his previous podium, but has a chance nonetheless.
Furthermore, Ferrari’s chances of getting a podium in Las Vegas this year also depend on whether Mercedes and Red Bull prove as well suited to the track as they have been in previous years.
McLaren have also struggled at this circuit in previous years, with Lando Norris even crashing here in 2023, so they are unlikely to be leading the field this weekend as they have been in 2025.
Qualifying will no doubt be close amongst the top teams and be crucial to scoring big points as there are less overtaking opportunities at this street track to climb up the grid.
READ NEXT: Boxing opinion: Fighting Jake Paul won’t ruin Anthony Joshua’s legacy
