With an impressive third place in qualifying, Ferrari and Leclerc bounce back after a tough Friday as the Monegasque reveals a major new development
After the disappointing Sprint Shootout on Friday, Ferrari seemed to have completely turned things around in Austin. Charles Leclerc finished qualifying with the third-fastest time, securing a second-row start for Sunday’s United States Grand Prix, just behind Max Verstappen and Lando Norris. The Monegasque driver also revealed an important innovation that could prove crucial for the rest of Ferrari’s season.
Ferrari’s revival in Austin
The second day of the weekend got off to a strong start right from the Sprint Race. Both Ferrari drivers managed to avoid the chaos at Turn 1 between the two McLarens, making up several positions and finishing just outside the podium. Back in the garage, the Maranello crew continued to work between sessions, and the result was a car that looked completely transformed compared to Friday’s struggles.
From Q1 onwards, both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were consistently among the frontrunners, challenging the McLarens and staying close to Max Verstappen’s Red Bull. When the chequered flag fell, Charles Leclerc secured P3, just three tenths behind Verstappen and less than a tenth away from Norris, who managed to snatch second in the final moments.
Charles Leclerc reveals the updates: is Austin the turning point for Ferrari?
After qualifying, Charles Leclerc explained that Ferrari introduced something new this weekend that had a significant impact on his driving comfort and confidence: “Today we made a big step forward compared to yesterday. We tried to make small changes without revolutionizing the car; just a few fine-tunings here and there. What made the difference is a new element I was experimenting with today — it really helped my driving style, and I found a very good feeling. I think we’ll keep using it in the next races as well.”
The Ferrari driver hopes this adjustment will bring the team closer to the front: “Hopefully it helps us close the gap to the leaders. I was struggling to drive the car with the new components, but today it feels like I found something that could really help us improve.”
After a tough start to the weekend, Ferrari’s strong response in qualifying — combined with Charles Leclerc’s encouraging words — suggests that the Scuderia might have found a new direction just in time for the final stage of the 2025 Formula 1 season.
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