Charles Leclerc has highlighted Ferrari's weakness over one lap in Las Vegas following Friday practice.
The Ferrari driver ended the second practice session in fifth place, half a second down on session leader Lewis Hamilton.
Ferrari enjoyed strong one-lap pace last year with Leclerc taking pole position ahead of team-mate Carlos Sainz.
However, Leclerc conceded the Italian squad is on the backfoot compared to its rivals following the opening day of this year's event.
“We are struggling to put the tyres in temperature,” Leclerc said. “I think Mercedes looks very strong.
“They've been a bit more aggressive on tyres all year long so they are very strong for now.
“So we've got to try and find something to try and turn the situation around. But we're not so far.”
Ferrari must find correct compromise
However, Leclerc acknowledged its race pace is giving the team hope of a successful weekend.
“All in all, we are very strong in race pace, a bit less strong in qualifying,” he said.
“It's been a bit of the story of our season, but it's better that way than the opposite.”
Ferrari will continue to fine-tune the car to strike the right balance between qualifying and the race - but Leclerc admitted a compromise will need to be found.
“I just hope that overtaking will be as easy as last year, but if it is, it's better to be in our position,” Leclerc asserted.
“We are still trying to have the best of both worlds and improve on qualifying, because for now, we are a bit far. But I'm confident we can be stronger tomorrow.
“If we take only today, I will expect Mercedes to be in front, McLaren as well, and then probably us.
“But again we have some ideas of what to do to try and improve that.
“It's a compromise of how good you want to be in the race compared to qualifying and we need to find the right, compromise. But I'm sure we'll do a good job.”
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