Lewis Hamilton faced challenges with the balance of his car during the 2026 United States Grand Prix, which affected his race pace and ultimately saw him finish fourth. Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc secured a podium finish, marking his second consecutive top-three result and expressing a positive outlook on Ferrari’s performance.
Hamilton identified car balance as his “biggest issue” throughout the race, compounded by starting on used tyres. This tyre disadvantage cost him approximately two seconds per lap in the initial stint compared to rivals on fresh rubber. Despite these difficulties, Hamilton acknowledged the effectiveness of Ferrari’s pit stops and race strategy, and remained cautiously optimistic about improving the car setup in upcoming events.
The race weekend saw strong performances from Ferrari drivers in practice sessions, but qualifying placed them behind two Red Bulls and Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, who took pole position and went on to win the race. Leclerc started fifth and managed to climb to second place, benefiting from a solid race pace and Ferrari’s two-stop strategy. He noted that Mercedes’ one-stop approach was effective but believed it would not have significantly altered the race outcome for Ferrari.
Leclerc expressed satisfaction with his race and the recent upgrades introduced by Ferrari, which have contributed to the team’s improved pace. Although the season is approaching its conclusion with no major updates expected, he remains confident that Ferrari can maintain momentum. Hamilton’s comments highlighted the importance of addressing car balance issues earlier in race weekends to avoid similar challenges.
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli also played a significant role in the race, securing pole position and a dominant victory. The competitive dynamics between Ferrari, Mercedes, and Red Bull Racing continue to shape the championship landscape, with tyre strategies and car setups proving crucial at circuits like the Circuit of the Americas.
Hamilton’s assessment of his race underlined the impact of tyre choice and car balance on performance, while Leclerc’s podium finish demonstrated Ferrari’s ongoing efforts to stay competitive. Both drivers’ feedback offers insight into the technical and strategic challenges faced by teams as the season progresses.