What lies behind Ferrari’s turnaround in Austin? Fred Vasseur explains

What lies behind Ferrari’s turnaround in Austin? Fred Vasseur explains. Ferrari returned to the podium at the 2025 Austin GP.

Fred Vasseur, Ferrari team boss, 2025 F1

Ferrari returned to the podium at the 2025 Austin Grand Prix, with Charles Leclerc securing third place and Lewis Hamilton finishing just off the podium in fourth. The result marked a positive weekend for Fred Vasseur’s Ferrari team and highlighted the progress made after initial difficulties on Friday and during the Sprint race. Fred Vasseur shared his thoughts on the performance with Sky Sport F1, emphasizing the work that went into the team’s improvement.

The French team principal explained that the key to the weekend was tire management, which proved decisive on the Austin circuit. “Honestly, we optimized everything with a focus on the tires,” Fred Vasseur stated. “We did experience tire fluctuations, but in a way opposite to the other teams. If you don’t get the tires into the right temperature window, you can lose half a second or more. Overall, it was a great recovery from Friday: today we had pace and consistency.”

Ferrari’s resurgence in Austin: the secret behind the strong performance

Ferrari opted for an aggressive strategy, starting Charles Leclerc on soft tires—a risky move, but one with the potential to secure a podium. Fred Vasseur explained, “We had to be aggressive with the strategy. The idea was to get to the front immediately. It worked about 50%: we wanted to be first, but we were second. Still, it was a positive outcome. I don’t have a crystal ball to know what would have happened, but overtaking at the start wasn’t easy. At that point, the goal was to survive on the softs and then return to the pits quickly. It worked halfway, but we weren’t far from second place.”

The French manager also praised Charles Leclerc’s race, highlighting how he defended his position early on and maintained a competitive pace until the checkered flag. “Great tire management from Charles. He kept Norris behind on soft tires at the start, showing both consistency and aggression. For him, this result is also important for self-confidence. The strategy paid off, and the performance was strong.”

Beyond the sporting result, Fred Vasseur emphasized the team’s cohesion and focus, addressing rumors of internal instability or changes. “The future situation is clear; internally we know it well, even if it’s not always clear to your colleagues. Sometimes it’s difficult to manage because certain rumors are distractions. But the president sent a clear message, and we are focused: we want second place in the Constructors’ Championship, and today’s result is good for the team and for Charles.”

With the Austin podium, Ferrari moves closer to second place in the Constructors’ standings. The performances of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton send an encouraging signal as the championship heads into its final stretch of the season.