Charles Leclerc explains Ferrari’s bold Austin strategy and builds confidence for the F1 Mexican Grand Prix. Charles Leclerc explains the bold tyre strategy that helped Ferrari shine in Austin.

Leclerc reveals the masterstroke in Austin and motivates Ferrari ahead of the Mexican GP

Charles Leclerc is preparing for the Mexican Grand Prix by reflecting on the calculated risk taken in Austin, explaining how Ferrari’s aggressive tyre strategy made the difference. The Monegasque driver revealed why he and the team decided to start on soft tyres when none of the top 15 drivers opted for that compound.

During the United States Grand Prix weekend, Charles Leclerc had already admitted that he was aware of the risk. He quickly realized that the choice could have easily backfired but ultimately paid off. According to the Ferrari driver, “I expected that not many would follow my tactic, but I didn’t think I’d be the only one among the top 15 to start on softs.” – the Monegasque pointed out.

“The pressure builds up and you start to think you made a mistake,” Charles Leclerc said, “but in the end, it turned out to be the right decision.” The bold strategy allowed him to jump to second place at the start and stay competitive through the middle stages of the race, eventually finishing in third position.

Ferrari: no revolution, just fine-tuning

When speaking about Ferrari’s performance improvement in Austin, Charles Leclerc clarified that it wasn’t the result of a major overhaul, but rather of meticulous fine-tuning and better tyre preparation. “Many small adjustments helped us bounce back from a difficult session and become competitive again,” he added.

Now Ferrari looks ahead to the Mexican Grand Prix with renewed confidence, aiming to replicate the same strategic foresight and strengthen its performance across upcoming circuits. The team’s growing consistency, combined with Charles Leclerc’s assertive approach, could prove crucial in maintaining momentum in the second half of the season.