The qualifying session for the 2026 United States Grand Prix delivered unexpected drama as Scuderia Ferrari, which topped the timing charts during practice, suffered a drastic drop-off in the all-important pole position shootout. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton will line up in fourth and fifth places respectively for Sunday's main race at the Circuit of The Americas.
The Prancing Horse dominated the practice sessions, with Leclerc leading Friday's running and Hamilton sneaking into the lead during final practice on Saturday. However, everything shifted dramatically in Q3, leaving both drivers baffled as no major setup changes were made to trigger the sudden pace deficit.
Speaking to the media after qualifying, Hamilton shared his bewilderment regarding the sudden shift in competitiveness. "We did a really good job overnight – the car felt really good in FP3, competitive. Then Q1 and Q2, both felt really strong, felt like we were right there in the fight," Hamilton said.
The veteran driver emphasized that the car's balance remained intact during the final session. "Then the car was just as good as it was [and] we didn’t make any changes. It wasn’t that the car was flipped upside down or anything in Q3; it was a really good lap. But those guys just somehow took another step," he added.
Hamilton highlighted the one-kilometer straight between Turns 11 and 12 as a recurring headache that cost them vital lap time. According to the Briton, the power deficit relative to their main rivals remains a significant hurdle. "Obviously, the power deficit to the Red Bull and to the Mercedes is still significant. And I think that our car clearly is as good as theirs maybe through all the corners, but we lose that down the straight," he explained.
Meanwhile, weather conditions fluctuated with wind picking up in the final segment, but Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur flatly refused to blame the environmental factors for the team's struggles.
Vasseur insisted that the team's potential was clear across all practice sessions. "I think the potential was there all over the weekend. We had a good pace in all the free practice, and until the last corner, we were fighting for the pole, and well, it’s part of the game," Vasseur stated.
Addressing the wind factor, Vasseur noted that it affected everyone equally and should not be used as an excuse. "I think Q2 was a bit faster for everybody, and we all struggled to improve in Q3, perhaps a bit of wind or whatever, and it’s also a distraction for the drivers, but it’s the same for everybody. We can’t complain about the wind; this would be bullsh*t," he remarked.
With Leclerc starting fourth on the second row and Hamilton lining up fifth on the third row, Ferrari faces an uphill battle to convert their strong practice pace into race success during Sunday's Grand Prix.
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