Frederic Vasseur - Photo: Race Pictures.com

Ferrari baffled by 'really up and down' SF-25 performance

15:52, 23 Oct

Updated: 15:56, 23 Oct

byTobia Elia

Ferrari team principal Fredéric Vasseur tried to explain the difference in competitiveness shown by the SF-25 between the Sprint and the United States GP.

"Everybody is struggling to put the tyres in the right window and to get the best, and it's really up and down"

- Frederic Vasseur

Speaking to GPblog after the race, even the Frenchman struggled to understand the reason behind such a sudden drop in performance from one day to the next: "I don't know if they did a step backwards or a positive step if you compare also with Williams and so, but I think it's really tricky from the beginning of the season."

He then added: "Everybody is struggling to put the tyres in the right window and to get the best, and it's really up and down.

"It's probably a bit more for us and probably a bit less visible for McLaren and Red Bull now, because they have a kind of advantage in terms of pure performance. When you are not doing well, they are still P2, P3, but when we are not doing well, we are P10."

Fred Vasseur during the US Grand Prix - Photo: Race Pictures

Highs and lows for Ferrari at the United States GP

The Maranello outfit began the Austin weekend still reeling from a string of disappointing results, with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc qualifying only eighth and tenth. In the Sprint, Ferrari salvaged a fourth and fifth place, though those results came largely thanks to the first-corner chaos that took out Nico Hulkenberg and both McLaren drivers.

From qualifying onwards, however, things took a turn for the better. Charles Leclerc secured third on the grid, with Lewis Hamilton lining up fifth.

In the race, Ferrari’s pace improved further — Leclerc held off Lando Norris for much of the Grand Prix, fighting for second place right up until the closing laps. Behind him, Hamilton brought home fourth, despite experiencing a few late-race issues reminiscent of those seen in Singapore.

Ferrari to hand Fuoco a run in Mexican GP FP1

Lewis Hamilton will be on the sidelines for the opening session in Mexico, with Ferrari confirming that Antonio Fuoco will take the wheel of the SF-25 for FP1.

The Italian, a long-time member of the Ferrari Driver Academy and part of the team’s WEC programme, made headlines last year when he claimed victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans driving the 499P.

Hamilton will return to action for FP2 later in the afternoon, as Formula 1 reverts to its standard weekend format following the sprint round in Austin.

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