Key Highlights:
- Charles Leclerc set the fastest times in both FP1 and FP2 at the United States Grand Prix, narrowly beating Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli.
- Ferrari introduced an aerodynamic upgrade package covering the floor, diffuser, and sidepod inlets, but Leclerc cautioned that the performance gain is not as large as external perceptions suggest.
- Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur emphasized that five or six cars are in contention for pole position, noting the importance of qualifying well to avoid dirty air.
Leclerc Sets the Pace at Circuit of The Americas
Scuderia Ferrari began their United States Grand Prix weekend on the front foot, with Charles Leclerc leading the timing sheets across the opening two practice sessions at the Circuit of The Americas. Leclerc topped Free Practice 1 with a slight advantage of 0.084s over Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen, followed by an even closer margin of 0.042s over Mercedes reserve driver Kimi Antonelli in Free Practice 2. Despite setting the benchmark in both sessions, Leclerc moved quickly to temper expectations regarding Ferrari’s outright competitive standing.
The Italian squad arrived in Austin sporting a refreshed aerodynamic package that includes modifications to the car’s floor, diffuser, and sidepod inlet. Heading into the race weekend, seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton offered a conservative appraisal during Thursday’s press conference, predicting the new package would deliver only half a tenth
in relative lap-time performance. While the timing screens initially suggested a more significant leap forward, Leclerc maintained that the team’s true pace aligns closely with those muted internal projections.
Ferrari Camp Downplays Impact of Austin Upgrades
Leclerc was quick to contextualize Ferrari’s Friday results, noting that finding an optimal baseline setup early in the day played a substantial part in the headline times rather than an overwhelming surge in aerodynamic output. While expressing gratitude for the factory’s swift turnaround in manufacturing the components, the Monegasque driver believes rival teams have yet to show their full hand heading into qualifying.
The feeling is quite good but we need to be careful – obviously it’s only Friday,
Leclerc explained. We are seeing what we expected but again, it’s definitely not what everybody thinks in terms of upgrade and lap time gained. It’s been a good day. I think the balance of the car was good and straightaway, we started in a good window. That paid off.
Leclerc added: Obviously all the hard work that has been done in order to bring this upgrade as soon as possible is also helping us a little bit, but we shouldn’t carry too high expectations going into tomorrow. I feel like the others have more potential to unlock. Kimi and Max seem to be very strong. The McLaren, I don’t really know yet. I don’t think they put everything together, but Kimi and Max will definitely be up there.
Fred Vasseur Calls for Focus Amid Tight Field
Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur mirrored his driver’s pragmatic outlook. The Maranello-based squad has not secured a Grand Prix victory since Round 9 in Great Britain, and with the margin separating Formula 1’s top four teams growing increasingly narrow, Friday practice times offer little guarantee for the competitive sessions ahead.
It’s a good start, but I think once again it’s very tight,
Vasseur said. I’m not sure that the classification of FP1 was always relevant for Qualifying. It means we have to be focused on ourselves to continue to work. We have a lot of things to learn on the car with the new package, and try to do a better job tomorrow.
Vasseur also noted the nature of late-season aerodynamic development, pointing out: It’s a very early stage. For sure the impact [of the upgrades] is a bit less than at the beginning of the season. It means that we have to finetune everything and try to get the best for tomorrow. Let’s see Qualifying first because as soon as you’re in the dirty air, it’s more difficult. I think that we have five or six cars that can compete for pole tomorrow. It’s good for F1 and it’s good for us if we’re in front.
Why This Matters
Ferrari’s careful management of expectations comes at a pivotal point in the championship. With McLaren, Red Bull, Mercedes, and Ferrari operating within razor-thin margins, small development increments can dictate race outcomes. Later in the season, aerodynamic upgrades inherently yield smaller performance steps compared to early-season overhauls. Given the aerodynamic sensitivity around the bumpy Circuit of The Americas, track position gained in Qualifying will be critical to avoiding dirty air during the Grand Prix, making Saturday’s execution paramount for Ferrari’s chances of breaking their win drought.
Frequently Asked Questions
What new parts did Ferrari bring to the United States Grand Prix?
Ferrari introduced updates to several crucial aerodynamic areas of their car in Austin, focusing on the floor, the diffuser, and the sidepod inlet.
Who was closest to Charles Leclerc during Friday practice?
In Free Practice 1, Max Verstappen was second fastest, finishing 0.084 seconds behind Leclerc. In Free Practice 2, Kimi Antonelli was Leclerc’s closest challenger, trailing by just 0.042 seconds.
When did Ferrari last win a Formula 1 race this season?
Ferrari has not claimed a Grand Prix victory since Round 9 in Great Britain.
