Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton expressed serious concerns about Ferrari’s current performance during the Sprint Qualifying at the United States Grand Prix. Leclerc remarked that the team is “so far behind” after a challenging session where he finished in P10.
Leclerc’s Assessment of Ferrari’s Position
Leclerc, who secured a victory at the Circuit of The Americas in 2024, struggled to find the same success this time. During the session, he found himself at risk of elimination in SQ1. Despite managing to qualify for SQ3, he could not match his rivals’ pace.
- Position in Sprint Qualifying: P10
- Practice Session Issues: A car problem limited his running time earlier in the day.
When asked about the areas where he lost time, Leclerc indicated that it was widespread. He stated, “Everywhere. My lap was clean in SQ3, I don’t regret much of what I’ve done.” He theorized that additional mileage on the medium tyre could have fine-tuned the car for better performance, possibly yielding a slight improvement in his time.
Challenges Ahead for Ferrari
Leclerc expressed skepticism about the team’s ability to improve its performance as the weekend progresses. He stated, “I’ll be very surprised if we found something that will make us [take] such a jump.” This reflects a broader concern regarding the team’s competitiveness relative to others.
- Strong Rivals: Leclerc noted unexpected performances from teams like Haas, where Nico Hülkenberg qualified P4.
- Expectation of McLaren and Red Bull: Noted as anticipated strong competitors.
Hamilton’s Struggles During Sprint Qualifying
Lewis Hamilton also faced difficulties, finishing P8, just ahead of his teammate. He commented on the unexpected pace issues, saying, “That was definitely not the pace we were expecting.” He struggled to pinpoint the reasons for the lack of speed.
Hamilton reflected on the discrepancies, stating, “No, I really don’t. It was looking good in practice… and then it just started to fall away from us.” He described the car’s handling issues, emphasizing that “eight tenths is a mountain to climb.”
Conclusion
Both drivers’ assessments highlight the challenges faced by Ferrari and Mercedes at the United States Grand Prix. As they head into the race weekend, significant improvements will be necessary for both teams to remain competitive.
