Günther Steiner on Lewis Hamilton & Charles Leclerc/Ferrari: Opponents are bluffing

Time and again, the loyal Tifosi are left disappointed. In all three free practice sessions for the US Grand Prix, Ferrari drivers were the fastest – Charles Leclerc in both Friday sessions, Lewis Hamilton in the third session on Saturday. Leclerc was also the fastest in Q2, but when it came to pole position, Ferrari could only manage third place, behind Mercedes and Red Bull Racing.

Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton lamented: “It’s really difficult to get the best out of the tyres, and when others step up at the crucial moment, we often fail to do so.”

Former Haas team principal Günther Steiner claimed on the Chequered Flag podcast: “I really do feel that Ferrari’s rivals aren’t showing what they’re truly capable of in free practice. Ferrari, however, always gets the most out of the car.”

“I can definitely see a pattern here. It’s just striking how Ferrari often set the pace on Friday, but then they fall back in the final practice session. I have to admit honestly: I don’t have any data from the teams on this. It’s more of a gut feeling that Ferrari’s rivals are bluffing.”

In Q3 in Texas, Lewis Hamilton said over the radio to his race engineer Carlo Santi, looking baffled: “Where have our lap times gone? The others must have turned up the power.”

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Later, the seven-time world champion remarked: “I really did drive a good lap, and we hardly adjusted anything on the car. Nor was it the case that the car’s balance suddenly changed out of the blue at the end. What simply strikes me time and again is that, in the decisive laps, the Mercedes and Red Bull Racing cars are simply faster on the straights.”

That would suggest greater engine power.

In the paddock at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, the 2016 and 2019 Mexican Grand Prix winner added the following regarding the prospects for 2026: “I wouldn’t say that second place in the Drivers’ Championship is meaningless, but I’d prefer second place in the Constructors’ Championship; above all, however, my focus is on the work ahead for 2027. We need to retain the good aspects of today’s car and eliminate the less good ones.”

“Our latest parts have helped, but it wasn’t a massive step forward. I’m very proud of the team for ensuring that Ferrari is once again leading the way in certain areas of development. And I’m also pleased with the aerodynamic evolution. For 2027, however, we need to step it up even more, including with the power unit.”

“It’s hard to say how competitive we’ll be here. This year we’re running with about 20 per cent less downforce than last year, and the Mexican Grand Prix has its own dynamics due to the thin air. I’ve heard people say we’re the favourites here. I don’t see it that way. Let’s get through the two practice sessions on Friday, then we’ll see.”