What ambitions does Ferrari have at the Mexican Grand Prix?

As the Mexican Grand Prix approaches, what can the Italians hope for? From June onwards, the Team Ferrari had stopped the development of its car 2025 to focus on next season, a choice that weighed morally, recognizes Frédéric Vasseur. We stopped developing the car very early and I may have underestimated the psychological side of this choice a little. Doing 17 races without development weighs a little on the team, on everyone." confided the Frenchman after qualifying in Austin, relieved by this "little boost" while Charles Leclerc had qualified third.

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In a way, Ferrari had some good times at the United States Grand Prix: Charles Leclerc returned to the podium, a first since the Belgian Grand Prix, while Lewis Hamilton was close behind him in fourth position. Frédéric Vasseur, for his part, praised " one of the best weekends of the season " carried out " thanks to excellent teamwork and factory support " A momentum that the Scuderia director hopes to maintain in Mexico. The Frenchman also wanted to congratulate his drivers after Ferrari's return to the podium. It's great to see Charles Leclerc back on the podium and Lewis Hamilton in fourth place. It's good for them and excellent for the whole team. It gives everyone extra motivation for the rest of the championship. »

Charles Leclerc keeps a cool head after Austin

Despite his third place in Texas, Charles Leclerc remains measured before tackling the Mexican Grand Prix. It's a good result and we have the potential to get on the podium but we still have to be careful.. "This performance, he says, does not necessarily mean " say much for the rest of the season ", although he acknowledges that " It's good to be back on the podium ».

In Mexico City, where he has already finished on the podium twice and is now aiming for the fiftieth podium of his career, Charles Leclerc explains that Ferrari is not starting with a " disadvantage " and that the team is in "the same boat as everyone else » on a « delicate track " A finding also shared by the French leader who warns that " Altitude strongly influences cooling, engine performance, aerodynamics and tire behavior »

« It's the raw performance that will define our weekend " adds Charles Leclerc. With three Free Practice sessions during the weekend to fine-tune the settings of the single-seater, the former champion of Formula 2 estimate that "Management [will be] a little easier compared to last weekend. » The Monegasque nevertheless points out that Ferrari will have to deal with tough competition: " McLaren et Red Bull many are stronger for now ". As for Classic Mercedes for sale, who are " it varies a little more for them " notes the 28-year-old pilot: the Silver Arrows can be " a little less competitive" but also " much more efficient » than the SF-25s.

Lewis Hamilton gets his bearings behind the wheel of the SF-25

If Lewis Hamilton has not yet tasted the podium in red, the seven-time world champion assures that he has finally " the feeling of being in control of the car " After his fourth place in Austin, he remembers " positive " and says he is convinced that he can " repeat the performance ". If there is still " even more to extract from the car,” The Briton assures that Ferrari is progressing “slowly in the right direction. »

Both drivers agree, however, on the encouraging nature of this comeback for the Scuderia. It's good for the whole team to finally see some improvement. " says Charles Leclerc. " It's been tough for everyone and there's usually a lot of negativity around how a year has gone so when we have a good weekend like this it's really uplifting for everyone, adds Lewis Hamilton. Everyone needs it. They deserve it."

As the Mexican Grand Prix approaches, Ferrari appears to have regained some momentum after several complicated weeks. While the Scuderia remains confident in the face of competition from Red Bull, McLaren, and Mercedes, the podium finish in Austin has given the entire team renewed confidence. Now, it remains to confirm this momentum in Mexico City, on a track that has previously favored the Italian firm.

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