By: After the United States Grand Prix in Texas, Ferrari appeared perhaps too euphoric about a result which, in our humble opinion, should be treated with due caution. Leclerc was undoubtedly the fastest driver on track during the third stint on Hard tyres. The Monegasque closed the gap that had opened up to Verstappen, passed him with ease and claimed the fastest lap of the race with a 1’37’’976. Max’s best lap on Medium tyres was a 1’39’’237, while Antonelli, the winner of the event, posted a 1’39’’086 on the same Hard compound.
Leclerc and Hamilton were the fastest in Austin
However, these performances could do more harm than good to the atmosphere within Ferrari, especially when considering the upgrades introduced in Austin. Leclerc surprised everyone with his performance. No one was faster than him, while Hamilton was the second-fastest driver on track, his best lap in the final stint being a 1’38’’457. The problem, however, is that the lap times and the pace shown were the product of the two-stop strategy and Red Bull’s mistake.
Antonelli, who fitted the Hard tyres with 32 laps remaining and more than half the race still to run, could never have displayed comparable pace. And even if he could have, there would have been no point in doing so. The one-stop strategy put the Mercedes driver in a hugely advantageous position and, despite being around a second per lap slower than the Ferrari, he finished 13 seconds ahead.
The gap to Red Bull was also an illusion. The pace of the two SF-26s stemmed primarily from their correct use of the Hard compound, while the Milton Keynes team mistakenly ended its chances of finishing second by opting for the Mediums rather than the white-walled tyres.
The next two rounds could prove very difficult for Ferrari
Ferrari would do well not to get carried away. The upgrades brought to Austin are certainly a step forward, and that is a positive, but in just a few days the team will have to prepare to tackle a circuit that is very difficult for the Prancing Horse’s power unit. The 2,250 metres above sea level in Mexico City will put the Maranello team to a severe test. Because of the thin air, the Mexican and Brazilian Grands Prix could prove genuinely difficult events for the Prancing Horse.
Perhaps it will be necessary to wait until the final three events of the season to truly understand how much Ferrari has benefited from the upgrades introduced in Austin.
Photo: Ferrari
All the news, photos, weather, session times and times from the United States GP 2026
