Source: Official Team Post via X
Hamilton Highlights Ferrari's Straight-Line Struggles After US Qualifying
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc reflect on Ferrari's difficulties in translating practice speed into qualifying performance at the United States Grand Prix. Hamilton cites straight-line speed deficits as a key factor, while Leclerc points to tire management issues.
Once again, Ferrari's promise in practice sessions didn't quite carry over into qualifying at the United States Grand Prix. Both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, under the Ferrari banner, found themselves trailing their rivals when it mattered most on the Austin track.
Despite setting the pace on Friday, Leclerc could only secure fourth in Q3. Meanwhile, Hamilton, who topped the timesheets in FP3, ended up fifth, narrowly missing out on fourth by a mere 0.044 seconds. Hamilton expressed satisfaction with his Ferrari's handling but pointed to the team's persistent straight-line deficits compared to their main competitors.
"Throughout the weekend, you notice it on the straights, especially up to Turn 1," Hamilton remarked. "We drop power, and they just keep going. It's the same story at other spots, like Turn 11. Although we might match them into Turn 12, we lose out on the rest of the lap. My car felt great, but they were simply quicker."
Hamilton acknowledged that other teams have been closing the gap in terms of chassis performance, a domain where the SF-26 was once the benchmark. "Our car performs really well, maybe even better than others," he stated. "But others have caught up in chassis improvements. Red Bull has enhanced its downforce, and Mercedes introduced a significant upgrade a few races ago, matching us through the corners now. Yet, we can't bridge the gap in straight-line speed this season."
When asked about the prowess of the Red Bull Ford power unit, Hamilton noted its varying advantage. "I haven't seen the exact figures this weekend," he said. "But it's impressive, sometimes three to five-tenths faster. Into Turn 1, their power sustains longer while ours dips. If we matched their power, we'd be competing for the front row."
Leclerc, on the other hand, was less content with his qualifying performance, citing tire issues. "It's disappointing," the Monegasque driver remarked. "We've been strong in free practice before, but in qualifying, others have a clear edge on the straights. Today, the car had potential, but we struggled with tire temperatures. In Q3, we were slightly outside the window, and it cost us. I was sliding from the out lap, which made it tough."
Leclerc emphasized the need for Ferrari to address their Q3 struggles. "It's frustrating, but there are reasons behind it," he explained. "We must understand our tires better because others seem to extract lap time more easily. Any deviation from the optimal window, and we pay a hefty price."
Despite these challenges, Hamilton remains optimistic about the race. "We must be realistic," he said. "We're starting fourth and fifth. Overtaking here is tough, even from P2. Back in 2012, passing Vettel was a struggle. But with the right strategy, there's potential to move up. Turn 1 offers opportunities, and strategy could be key."