Leclerc Admits Ferrari Faces Significant Setbacks in Current Standings
Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton have expressed concerns about Ferrari’s performance at the United States Grand Prix. During Sprint Qualifying, Leclerc noted that the team is “so far behind now,” finishing near the bottom of the top 10.
Disappointing Qualifying Results for Ferrari
Leclerc, who won at the Circuit of The Americas in 2024, experienced a stark contrast in performance during this qualifying session. Initially, he faced the risk of elimination in SQ1. Ultimately, he secured P10 after struggling to keep pace with competitors in SQ3.
Leclerc’s Assessment
- Position: P10
- Team Status: Far behind competitors
- Performance Issues: Missed earlier practice due to car issues
After his run, Leclerc reflected on his lap time. He stated, “My lap was clean in SQ3, I don’t regret much of what I’ve done.” However, he acknowledged that additional mileage during practice could have fine-tuned the car’s performance, potentially improving his time by a small margin.
Future Hopes for Improvement
When asked about possible adjustments to enhance performance for Sunday’s race, Leclerc expressed skepticism. He said, “I’ll be very surprised if we found something that will make us [take] such a jump.” Leclerc highlighted the unexpectedly competitive pace of other teams, notably praising Nico Hülkenberg’s performance in P4.
Hamilton’s Struggles in Sprint Qualifying
Lewis Hamilton also faced challenges during the qualifying session, finishing P8, two spots ahead of his teammate. He commented, “That was definitely not the pace we were expecting.” Despite an encouraging practice session, Hamilton reported that pace diminished once qualifying began.
Challenges Identified by Hamilton
- Position: P8
- Timing Issues: Lost pace unexpectedly
- Car Dynamics: Described as “very tough to drive”
Hamilton was uncertain about the reasons behind the lack of pace, stating, “I really don’t know.” He emphasized the significant gap as “eight tenths is a mountain to climb.”
Conclusion
The performances of both Leclerc and Hamilton underline Ferrari’s struggles in the current competitive landscape. As they prepare for the race, the team faces the daunting challenge of overcoming the significant setbacks they have encountered this weekend.
