Source: Official Team Post via X
Charles Leclerc Optimistic About Ferrari's Prospects After US GP Upgrades
Charles Leclerc is hopeful that Ferrari's recent upgrades will enable them to secure a race win before the 2026 season concludes. After a strong performance in Austin, Leclerc reflects on the improvements and challenges ahead.
Charles Leclerc is looking on the bright side about Ferrari's chances to snag a victory before the 2026 season wraps up, thanks to the upgrades they introduced at the United States Grand Prix. Leclerc's optimism follows his second-place finishes in both Singapore and Austin, where Ferrari's revised SF-25 showed promise.
Starting from third on the grid in Austin, Leclerc, alongside teammate Lewis Hamilton, made a swift getaway, overtaking Isack Hadjar and strategically using his battery to pass Max Verstappen of the sister Red Bull team. "I had quite a good start," Leclerc recounted to PlanetF1.com and other media outlets, noting his tactical approach to the first few turns.
Yet, the straight-line speed deficit that has plagued Ferrari in 2026, combined with Leclerc’s battery management, allowed Verstappen to reclaim his position later in the race. Leclerc, however, capitalized on his newer tires during a longer second stint, overtaking Verstappen again with seven laps remaining.
Reflecting on the race, Leclerc remarked, "It’s one of those races where you’re not getting too bored inside the cockpit, and there’s something to play for." He even entertained thoughts of victory at one point, especially as Kimi Antonelli, opting for a one-stop strategy, seemed vulnerable towards the end. Alas, the win was not to be, but the race was "fun," he said, despite falling short.
Leclerc had topped the first two practice sessions, while Hamilton secured a Ferrari sweep in FP3. However, both drivers faced challenges in qualifying, with tire temperature issues in Q3 preventing them from capitalizing on their earlier strong performance. "If you look at FP1, FP2, and FP3, we were very strong," Leclerc noted, lamenting the missed opportunity.
Despite the setback, Leclerc remains hopeful about the impact of Ferrari's latest updates. "Whether I can convert that into a win is a bit difficult to predict," he admitted, "because it’s such fine margins, and it also depends on what the upgrade plans of the others are in upcoming races." Nonetheless, Leclerc feels increasingly at ease with the car, having made strides in both driving and setup.
"I hope that this will result in a win soon," Leclerc added. While he was close in both Singapore and Austin, he remains confident that Ferrari will have a shot at winning another race before the season concludes.