Ferrari has made a notable return to the podium at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, marking an important moment for the team after a challenging season.
This result ended a podium drought for the Maranello team that had persisted since the Belgian Grand Prix, providing a much-needed boost and an indication of steady improvement in performance.
Team principal Frederick Vasseur expressed the significance of the result, stating it has helped ease tensions on and off the track within the organization.
Although third and fourth place finishes aren’t transformative for a season that has experienced a lack of outstanding results, the response from the team suggests a newfound confidence.
Vasseur highlighted the pride in the work demonstrated by the team throughout the weekend, amid a backdrop of unfounded rumors.
The weekend in Austin was characterized by two distinct phases for the Ferrari SF-25.
The changes made during the parc fermé reopening between the Sprint and qualifying sessions significantly contributed to the team’s turnaround.
Ferrari was the only team in the top 10 to improve its qualifying times from Friday to Saturday, suggesting that they had yet to unlock the full potential of the SF-25.
After the Sprint race, Charles Leclerc noted the necessity of the session, which served as a vital test to determine the adjustments needed for qualifying.
Leclerc’s performance picked up notably after a quieter Friday compared to Lewis Hamilton, who had established a comfortable position at the start of the weekend.
Sources indicate that Leclerc’s main adaptation revolved around the brake-by-wire system, which impacts rear braking and is adjusted using the “brake migration” settings on the steering wheel.
Changes were also made to the differential setup to enhance performance, especially through the initial sector, which featured multiple high-speed corners.
The race strategy on Sunday saw Leclerc start on soft tires, a decision made based on a better understanding of tire compounds accumulated during the weekend.
His choice to attack at the onset of the race was a calculated risk stemming from insights gained during the pre-race debrief.
Leclerc’s race pace averaged just over a tenth of a second behind Max Verstappen, a notable performance in light of the soft tires’ historical context in similar races.
Vasseur remarked that Ferrari’s strategy benefited from tire behavior optimization rather than any reliance on luck.
Leclerc’s management of his first stint unveiled a noteworthy approach to tire conservation, particularly as the SF-25 does not exhibit aggressive tire wear similar to some competitors.
While starting on soft tires may not have changed the final outcome, which saw Leclerc finish in third position, it did lead to a competitive run against fellow drivers.
Hamilton, who started on medium tires, showcased impressive pace, outpacing both Oscar Piastri and George Russell behind him.
The timing of Leclerc’s pit stop was a point of uncertainty, especially after he had been overtaken by Lando Norris, briefly placing both Ferrari drivers in a precarious racing scenario.
However, it should be noted that there were no reports of punctures or anomalies during post-race checks on Hamilton’s SF-25.
The performance in Austin was further complemented by effective thermal management of the SF-25.
Despite high ambient temperatures and the heavy braking zones of the track, Ferrari managed to avoid severe overheating issues similar to those encountered in Singapore.
This meant that strategies like lift-and-coast, commonly employed to mitigate brake load, were seldom necessary during the race.
Ferrari has historically excelled in race conditions where there is a reduced need for such management, allowing for more optimal performance.
Minimal interventions were required on Hamilton’s SF-25, which could have been influenced by running in slightly dirtier air compared to Leclerc during the first stint.
Concerns about plank wear, a common issue at COTA, were alleviated as both SF-25 cars were confirmed safe concerning plank thickness after the race.
Both cars finished in the top five and underwent standard checks, with Leclerc’s car additionally tested for skid stiffness due to its podium finish.
Despite some ongoing ride height limitations, the team is conscientious about previous disqualifications and is adopting a careful approach.
The 2025 mechanics enable more uniform skid wear compared to the previous design, aiming to reduce concentration of impacts in early sections of races.
These factors remain critical for performance at circuits like Austin, requiring steady management of ride heights.
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