Third and fifth on the starting grid for the United States Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc et Lewis Hamilton approach the race with a degree of confidence. Despite a performance that was still very difficult to read for this SF-25, the two drivers managed to qualify ahead of the Mercedes, putting himself in a favorable position to regain points on the brand with the star. Although George Russell is fourth, and Charles Leclerc’s third position is enough to raise a smile in the Italian camp, Frédéric Vasseur seemed to want more after qualifying.
“We’re coming back. We’re in a better position than in the last few races. It’s nice, but I have the feeling that we could have done better today, that we came close to a better result, he regretted to Canal+. Now the race is long. Last year, we started from third and fifth place, and we finished first and second. Anything is possible tomorrow, but there’s still a little feeling of unfinished business.”
Ferrari seeks confidence in Austin
Apart from the fact that Ferrari’s second place in the Constructors’ standings has been stolen by Mercedes in recent weeks, it seems that third position is no longer even a certainty given the strong comeback of Red Bull through Max Verstappen. In this vein, a good result in Sunday’s Grand Prix appears particularly important on many levels for the Team.
“I think we always have a pace that is a little bit better in the race than in qualifying, recalled Frédéric Vasseur. We’re more focused on the race and that can help us tomorrow. It’s not a given either because there are six or seven cars that are doing well. We saw this morning that when you’re behind someone it’s difficult to overtake. Tomorrow, we’ll have the strategy, we’ll have an opportunity to play something at the time of the pit stop but it will be difficult.”
ALSO READ > The starting grid for the 2025 United States Grand Prix
Acknowledging that the season could be challenging for a large part of the team, the Frenchman shared his analysis of the situation. For the man who brought Lewis Hamilton into the team at the start of the season, seeing this year as a new transition was likely not easy to accept.
“We would have to win one to finish the season, but above all finish second in the championship, he hammeredMercedes has a bit of a lead, but the situation is a bit frustrating. We stopped developing the car very early and I may have underestimated the psychological side of that decision a bit. Doing 17 races without development is a bit of a drag on the team, on everyone. This result today is a good thing because it gives us a bit of a boost.
While waiting for the Grand Prix, the main objective this Sunday seems to be to restore calm within the Ferrari clan. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton must now convert their hopes into results in Austin.