Ferrari's hopes of a first pole position since August 2025 were dashed at the United States Grand Prix, as Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton qualified outside the top three despite topping all three practice sessions. Leclerc finished fourth and Hamilton fifth, both behind the two Red Bull drivers and Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli, who took pole. Team principal Frederic Vasseur expressed mixed feelings, acknowledging the team's strong potential throughout the weekend but noting the sudden drop in pace during Q3.
Hamilton, who had led final practice, was baffled by the time gap, suggesting a straight-line speed deficit was the main issue. He emphasized that while the car handled well through corners, Ferrari consistently lost ground on the straights compared to Red Bull and Mercedes. Leclerc, though not quoted in the excerpt, also struggled to match the pace in the final session.
The result leaves Ferrari in a challenging position for Sunday's 56-lap race at COTA, with Antonelli now in a strong position to potentially clinch the world title.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing