Ferrari led both Friday practice sessions at the United States Grand Prix, but Charles Leclerc and team boss Fred Vasseur urged caution. Leclerc said the team’s new aerodynamic parts are helping, though likely not as much as expectations suggest, and warned that rivals still have pace to find. Ferrari’s priority is to refine the car before qualifying, where several teams could contend for pole.

By the Numbers
  • Leclerc topped FP1 by 0.084 seconds over Max Verstappen.
  • He led FP2 by 0.042 seconds over Kimi Antonelli.
  • Ferrari’s last win came at Round 9 in Great Britain.
  • Vasseur said five or six cars could fight for pole.
Yes, But

Friday’s results put Ferrari at the top, but practice times may not reflect the qualifying order. Leclerc expects Verstappen and Antonelli to be strong, while McLaren’s pace remains unclear. Ferrari’s upgrades are also delivering a smaller gain than some may have anticipated.

What's Next

Ferrari will continue learning how to get the most from its updated car before Saturday’s qualifying. The team’s pace in traffic and its ability to hold off rivals should offer a clearer measure of its chances.

Bottom Line

Friday’s fastest times are an encouraging start, not a promise of pole or victory: Ferrari knows it must keep improving in a tightly matched field.