Hamilton, Leclerc detail Ferrari’s Austin issues

Lewis Hamilton pointed to balance and set-up problems after Austin, while Charles Leclerc turned fourth on the grid into a second straight P2 for Ferrari.

Lewis Hamilton said Ferrari’s balance was his main problem in Austin after finishing fourth, while Charles Leclerc took second for a second race in a row. Formula1.com reported that Leclerc was also voted Driver of the Day after his run to P2, and the result left Hamilton third in the drivers’ championship on 241 points and Leclerc fifth on 233.

Ferrari had shown pace before qualifying, but several outlets reported that it did not carry that form through Q3. Autosport and Motorsport.com both reported that Ferrari fell short of expectations in qualifying, with Leclerc and Hamilton ending up fourth and fifth on the grid. RaceFans reported that team principal Frederic Vasseur expected more after Ferrari set the pace across practice.

After the race, Formula1.com reported that Hamilton singled out balance as his biggest issue. Motorsport.com also reported that Hamilton believed his set-up contributed to the gap to Leclerc, including a front wing setting he felt was too low, while the same outlet reported that Leclerc said he had found something in his driving after another podium.