Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur: Surprising verdict after qualifying defeat

What on earth is going on at Ferrari? Charles Leclerc fastest in the first practice session, Charles Leclerc fastest in the second practice session, Lewis Hamilton fastest in the third practice session – a clean sweep for the proud Scuderia.

Then in Q1, Leclerc was second fastest behind Lando Norris; the Monegasque was fastest in Q2, but then the momentum ran out: No pole position again; Leclerc on grid position 4, Hamilton on P5; Ferrari and Charles have been without a Formula 1 pole since Hungary 2025 – mamma mia!

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur on the rather sobering result for the Tifosi in the final practice session: “We were the fastest in free practice, and Charles drove a good lap in qualifying – right up until the final corners. He was much faster than on his previous attempt, but he made mistakes in the last two corners. It turned out the way it did; we’re only half a tenth off the front row.”

“I think this will be a Grand Prix that offers opportunities. We’ll struggle a bit due to our lack of top speed, but tyre wear will be the deciding factor.”

It’s striking: the other top teams often manage to squeeze a bit of extra speed out of the car at the crucial moment in qualifying, whereas Ferrari doesn’t. Vasseur says: “Yes, that’s true, but we have to focus on ourselves; we have to concentrate on what we’re capable of. That’s why I think that in the final corners – judging by what we’d done beforehand – we left some of our potential on the track. I believe we have the potential to do much better in the race.”

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“Historically, Turn 1 in Austin has always been tricky. That’s why we’re focusing on the start and trying to get off to a good start so we’re in a good position going into Turn 2. Our pace has been good right from the start of the weekend, including in the endurance runs.”

The French team principal is satisfied with the new parts Ferrari brought to the SF-26 in Texas: “The potential for pole position was there this weekend, and I believe we’ve taken a step forward. But you’ve also got to put together a fast lap. The potential was there, but we definitely need to work better on Saturday afternoon.”