Leclerc senses Ferrari breakthrough after back-to-back podiums in Singapore and Austin

Charles Leclerc finished second at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, 13 seconds behind race winner and championship leader Kimi Antonelli, and emerged from the result convinced that a recent shift in his driving and set-up work has put Ferrari on the verge of a victory.

The result was Leclerc’s second consecutive runner-up finish, following a second place in Singapore, and the Monegasque driver said the improvement in his feel for the car had been building across the last few race weekends.

“The feeling with the car is getting better and better,” Leclerc said in the post-race press conference. “These cars are very specific and unique, and I feel like, over the last two or three races, I’ve unlocked something again in terms of driving, and particularly the set-up with my driving. Just both together, we’ve taken a step forward, and I just feel much more comfortable with the car.”

Leclerc was cautious about predicting an imminent win, acknowledging the fine margins involved and the potential for rival teams to introduce upgrades in the remaining rounds. “Whether I can convert that into a win is a bit difficult to predict, because it’s such fine margins, and it also depends on what the upgrade plans of the others are in upcoming races,” he said. “But I’m confident that we’ll have a shot at winning a race before the end of the season.”

The United States Grand Prix was the opening round of the penultimate triple-header of the season. The field now moves to Mexico City for the Mexican Grand Prix, with five race weekends remaining in total — assuming the final two rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi proceed as scheduled.

Leclerc currently sits fifth in the drivers’ standings, but the battle for second place remains tight. Mercedes’ George Russell leads that chase with 242 points, while Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, and Leclerc occupy third, fourth, and fifth respectively — separated by just nine points.