Charles Leclerc/Ferrari after P2 in the US Grand Prix: “A one-stop strategy like Kimi’s? Impossible”

Charles Leclerc finished second at the Formula 1 US Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas on the outskirts of Austin; on this day, only winner Kimi Antonelli finished ahead of the 29-year-old Monegasque under the pale Texan sun. Leclerc fell well short of his ninth Grand Prix victory because his car wasn’t fast enough in the early stages of the race.

Following his 56th podium finish in the premier class, the 2022 World Championship runner-up assessed his performance at COTA as follows: “That was a good race; unfortunately, we came off second best against Kimi, which of course always leaves a bitter aftertaste.”

“All in all, I have to be satisfied with P2 because we managed to make up places after what was a rather disappointing qualifying session.”

“We knew we’d have good race pace. But in the first part of the Grand Prix, we weren’t quick enough. A one-stop strategy like the one Kimi pulled off wasn’t part of our plan.”

“The race was fun, with some great battles shortly after the start and then again as the Grand Prix progressed, with Lando and Max.”

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“At the start, I tried my luck on the outside, but then I used up too much battery power to defend myself against Max later in the lap.”

“The car felt good; we were simply slower than expected in the first part of the race. We managed to make up ground towards the end, but it just wasn’t enough to beat Kimi.”