By: At the end of United States Grand Prix qualifying, we are once again discussing another misstep by the historic Ferrari team. Over the past few Grands Prix, with fluctuations also seen at other rounds this season, Leclerc and Hamilton have often been among the quickest drivers on Friday.
Ferrari faces another drop in performance
Charles and Lewis are able to find speed with ease, while the pace shown in the race simulations during FP2 is equally promising. Unfortunately, for one reason or another, the team then suddenly loses its way. If the decline begins around FP3, the weekend becomes a disaster; more commonly, however, the drop-off is barely noticeable… until the drivers show it in qualifying, losing performance between Q2 and Q3. That was also the scenario seen in Texas qualifying.
At first, including during previous weekends, we had suggested that it was not solely down to the car’s performance. A quick car is always quick, just as a slow car is always slow. The SF-26 is showing far too much inconsistency and, by starting from lower on the grid than it should, it is then unable to maximise the final result.
The problem must be solved
But what could be causing these episodes? Firstly, an inability to keep up with the evolution of the track, which appears to have affected the result in Austin too. In our view, this is one of the most serious causes. The second could perhaps stem from an inability to reconcile simulator data with that collected at the track. Then there is a third possibility: errors.
To err is human, but the fact that something always goes wrong whenever Ferrari has an opportunity to perform well… is becoming quite serious, and the drivers are growing tired of it. Especially Charles, who has experienced the team’s misfortunes first-hand for eight years now. Ferrari still has zero pole positions in 2026 and, considering that it often has the race pace to stay close to its rivals and fight for important positions, it is clear that there is something to resolve at Maranello.
Cover and in-article photos by Luca Martini / WHYOUT Images
All the news, photos, weather, session times and times from the United States GP 2026
