Lewis Hamilton reveals he is ‘misplaced out’ in current F1 races with set-up of his Ferrari automotive in comparison with Charles Leclerc | F1 Information

Lewis Hamilton has revealed he is “misplaced out” to Charles Leclerc by means of the set-up of his Ferrari automotive in current races.

Hamilton was outqualified by Leclerc at the US Grand Prix and was unable to match his team-mate’s spectacular tempo within the race on his approach to fourth, whereas Leclerc completed second behind race-winner Kimi Antonelli.

On the earlier race in Singapore, Hamilton appeared sturdy in qualifying till Q3 when he was overwhelmed by Leclerc, and an identical sample occurred in Austin the place the seven-time world champion topped last apply, solely to qualify fifth.

“I misplaced quite a lot of factors within the final 5 races or so,” Hamilton, who’s one level behind second-placed George Russell within the Drivers’ Championship, advised Sky Sports activities F1.

“I feel it has come from set-up, not good, the set-up. That is one thing I actually need to get on prime of. That is the place I’ve misplaced out. Efficiency-wise I really feel like I have been driving effectively and the final [race] stint [in Austin] was good. The primary two stints there was nothing I might do about that.

“Positively tons to remove. The crew did an amazing job to convey an improve. Charles bought a second place. We’ve bought good efficiency. Hopefully once we go to Mexico, we are able to enhance on the place we’ve got gone flawed on that setup.”

Ferrari continued to be the benchmark crew in most corners on the Circuit of the Americas however lacked straight-line velocity in comparison with Mercedes and Pink Bull.

However, Hamilton was sad with the automotive’s low-speed stability within the first two stints of the Grand Prix which put him out of the rostrum battle.

“I misplaced a lot time. I could not flip the automotive within the low-speed notably – Flip 1, Flip 11, Flip 12, Flip 13, 14, 15. Large understeer so the [other] automobiles pulled away once I was adjusting my settings,” he mentioned.

“By the point we bought to the final stint, we bought nearer to the stability however we should always have began with that stability originally. Numerous learnings. The crew did an amazing job with pit stops and technique.”

May Leclerc have gained United States GP?

Leclerc certified fourth however had an excellent begin by overtaking Isack Hadjar and Max Verstappen within the first sector, just for Verstappen to overhaul the Ferrari driver on the finish of the primary lap.

Ferrari opted for a two-stop technique with Leclerc which noticed him cost previous Verstappen and Lando Norris, who did a one-stop race, within the closing levels however he finally completed 13 seconds behind Antonelli.

Leclerc believes his qualifying place price him an opportunity at victory however even when he had much less site visitors to cope with within the race, Antonelli was “simply too fast”.

“When you have a look at FP1, FP2 and FP3, we have been very sturdy. When you have a look at qualifying, on the finish of the day in Q3, it was extraordinarily tough to convey the tyres as much as temperature, and we most likely misplaced a shot on the victory there,” mentioned Leclerc.

“However Kimi was very sturdy, so, as an entire weekend, I feel we’re simply not strong sufficient.”

Ferrari crew principal Frederic Vasseur believes Leclerc might have gained the race in numerous circumstances.

“The race went effectively – the racing went effectively, the tempo was OK, we have been aggressive with the technique as a result of we needed to overtake,” Vasseur advised Sky Sports activities F1.

“Total, if we missed one thing it was the final two laps in Q3. That was crucial laps of the weekend and that is the place we had the difficulty.

“Total, I need to take the optimistic of the weekend that the tempo was there from FP1 to the final lap of the race. With out the VSC it will have been a double podium however let’s attempt to do a greater qualifying in Mexico and win the race.”

Can Ferrari win one other race in 2026?

5 rounds stay within the 2026 season with the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix up first this weekend, the place altitude might be an element given the observe is 2,200m above sea stage.

The efficiency of the Ferrari energy unit at altitude will dictate if they’ll problem for victory on the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, which options plenty of twisty corners which the SF-26 ought to take pleasure in.

“It is such tremendous margins, and it additionally relies on what the improve plans of the others are in upcoming races. However the feeling with the automotive is getting higher and higher,” mentioned Leclerc.

“These automobiles are very particular and distinctive, and I really feel like, during the last two or three races, I’ve unlocked one thing once more when it comes to driving, and notably setup with my driving. Simply each collectively, we have taken a step ahead, and I simply really feel far more comfy with the automotive.

“I hope that it will end in a win quickly. Whether or not it is in Singapore or in Austin, we have been fairly shut, so I am assured that we’ll have a shot to win a race earlier than the tip of the season.”

System 1 subsequent heads south for the second leg of The Americas triple header with the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix this weekend, dwell on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime