Ferrari Teammates Share Second Row at Austin
Scuderia Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton will line up side-by-side on Sunday for the United States Grand Prix, starting from fourth and fifth positions on the grid. With the steep uphill charge into the notorious Turn 1 hairpin at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) presenting prime overtaking opportunities and high collision risks, Leclerc has made it clear that both drivers are fully aware of their boundaries as they fight for track position.
Leclerc managed to qualify just ahead of Hamilton in Austin, but the Monegasque driver acknowledged that their on-track battles have previously pushed the limits of acceptable intra-team racing during their campaign together. The dynamic between the two Ferrari drivers has come under scrutiny during tense moments earlier in the season, making their proximity on the grid a critical focal point for Sunday’s start.
Monza Flashpoint Serves as a Cautionary Tale
The most prominent example of intra-team friction occurred during Ferrari’s home race at Monza earlier this year. During that grand prix, Hamilton made an aggressive move up the inside of Turn 1 on the opening lap, resulting in contact between the two red cars. Leclerc held his line through Turn 2, which forced Hamilton off the racing surface. That incident dropped Hamilton from fourth to tenth before he fought back to a sixth-place finish; Leclerc’s race unravelled completely when he crashed out on the very next lap.
The fallout from Monza drew sharp reactions from both drivers. Hamilton expressed his frustration immediately afterward, saying: “Here, there are no rules. We need to address that.”
Leclerc was similarly reflective on the error in judgment at Ferrari’s home track, adding, “Here, it’s true though that we went too far. I think Lewis in Turn 1, then Turn 2, I tried to do the tightest corner possible, but that was just not enough – and doing it here is not good.”
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Managing the Charge to Turn 1 Without Team Orders
Despite the high-stakes run up the hill to Turn 1 at COTA, Leclerc confirmed that Ferrari management has not imposed strict artificial rules or predetermined maneuvers on either driver for the start of the race. Instead, the team expects both drivers to rely on discipline and mutual respect.
When asked if Ferrari had laid down specific mandates for the initial lunge into the corner, Leclerc clarified the internal expectations: “No, we know what is the line not to cross, and again I think we’ve got some occasions throughout the year where I’ve crossed it, Lewis crossed it and we don’t want to see that.”
Emphasizing that maintaining a clean race is vital for Ferrari’s overall weekend haul, Leclerc noted that executing clean team strategy remains crucial despite the open layout of the Austin circuit. “I mean it’s always important. I don’t think on a track like this there’s anything like Singapore like that you can do with slowing down and all the team or whatsoever, but obviously just stay away from each other is always a good thing no matter where we are.”
Why This Matters
Turn 1 at the Circuit of the Americas is historically one of the most chaotic corners on the Formula 1 calendar due to its wide, uphill braking zone, which invites multi-car lunges on race starts. For Ferrari, securing a double-podium finish or maximizing championship points hinges entirely on avoiding self-inflicted damage between teammates. After the high-profile opening-lap clash at Monza, another collision between Leclerc and Hamilton would significantly disrupt the Scuderia’s constructors’ championship momentum and invite renewed scrutiny over their intra-team management.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton starting for the United States GP?
Charles Leclerc qualified in fourth place, while his Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton will start directly behind and alongside him in fifth on the grid at Circuit of the Americas.
Has Ferrari established team orders for the start of the race at COTA?
No, Ferrari has not put specific rules in place for the initial run into Turn 1. According to Charles Leclerc, both drivers understand where the line is and recognize that avoiding contact with each other is the team’s priority.
What happened between Leclerc and Hamilton at Monza?
At the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, the teammates collided on the opening lap when Hamilton attacked up the inside of Turn 1 and Leclerc defended into Turn 2. The incident dropped Hamilton down the order to tenth and preceded Leclerc’s retirement on lap two.
