Ferrari struggles in Austin qualifying despite strong practice sessions

Ferrari failed to secure a pole position at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, despite dominating several practice sessions throughout the weekend. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton will start the race from fourth and fifth on the grid, respectively.

Both drivers expressed frustration regarding the team's performance during the Q3 qualifying session. Leclerc noted that while the car showed significant potential in earlier sessions, the team struggled to maintain pace as track temperatures dropped, making it difficult to keep tires within the optimal operating window. He also highlighted a deficit in straight-line speed compared to rivals like Red Bull and Mercedes.

Lewis Hamilton echoed these concerns, pointing out that while the car felt competitive and stable in the corners, it lacked the necessary power on the straights to compete for the top spot. Team principal Frederic Vasseur acknowledged the mixed results, noting that the team was within half a second of the pole position but must now focus on tire degradation and race strategy to fight for a podium finish.