Ferrari showed strong pace during the 2026 United States Grand Prix weekend but ultimately fell just short of victory. Charles Leclerc finished second, while Lewis Hamilton secured fourth place, reflecting a competitive but challenging race for the Scuderia.
Throughout the weekend, Ferrari demonstrated promising speed, with Leclerc setting the fastest time in Friday’s practice sessions and Hamilton topping the third practice. However, qualifying proved difficult in a tightly packed field, with Leclerc starting from fourth and Hamilton from fifth. The team opted for an aggressive two-stop strategy on soft tyres during the race.
Leclerc managed to climb to second place behind race winner Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes, while Hamilton finished fourth, just behind Max Verstappen from Red Bull Racing. Despite the strong pace, Leclerc expressed frustration after the race, having aimed for victory from the outset. Ferrari Team Principal Frederic Vasseur acknowledged this frustration but viewed it as a sign of the team’s ambition and competitiveness.
Vasseur confirmed that the chosen strategy was aggressive and appropriate given the starting positions, but highlighted how small margins in qualifying and race conditions—such as wind and tyre overheating—can significantly affect outcomes. He noted that many top drivers, including those from Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull Racing, struggled to improve their times in the final qualifying session.
The SF-26 car package has shown strength, but optimizing setup, tyre management, and timing remains crucial for converting pace into wins. Ferrari has been scoring the most points recently, indicating progress and a positive direction despite narrowly missing out on victory in the United States.
Vasseur’s reflections underline the fine balance required in Formula 1® between speed and race execution. The team’s performance at the United States Grand Prix demonstrated clear potential, with the frustration expressed serving as motivation rather than disappointment.
Overall, the weekend highlighted Ferrari’s competitiveness and the challenges that come with translating strong pace into race wins. The team continues to build on its recent points haul, aiming to refine its approach as the season progresses.