Source: Official Team Post via X
Zak Brown's Comment Underscores Ferrari's Struggles at US GP
Ferrari's hopes for a strong qualifying session at the United States Grand Prix were dashed as they fell behind in Q3. Zak Brown's cheeky comment highlighted their woes, as Ferrari's pace vanished at a crucial moment.
Ferrari seemed poised to make a splash at the United States Grand Prix with new car upgrades, and early signs were promising. Charles Leclerc topped the practice session on Friday, which had fans hoping for a strong showing in qualifying. However, the final session turned into a bit of a letdown, as Ferrari's pace evaporated when it mattered most. Kimi Antonelli grabbed pole position, leaving both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton trailing in Q3.
Zak Brown, McLaren's CEO, added a splash of humor to Ferrari's misfortune. During Q1, he spoke to Sky Sports and quipped that his drivers wouldn't be challenging for the top spots because "the Ferraris are in a league of their own." At that point, Ferrari did seem to be ahead, setting fast times around the Circuit of the Americas. Leclerc, in particular, looked like he might secure his first pole of the season. But as the session progressed, the team's prospects dwindled.
Commentator Martin Brundle noted that Ferrari's speed seemed to "evaporate" in the final session. When the dust settled, Leclerc and Hamilton found themselves starting in P4 and P5 respectively. This result extended Leclerc's lead over Hamilton in their qualifying head-to-head, with a score now standing at 10-8.
Ferrari's sudden drop in performance was a surprise after such a strong weekend start. While the outcome was disappointing, it didn't go unnoticed, especially with Zak Brown's remarks adding a bit of salt to the wound.