Sprint Race qualifying dull, but Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz believe in Ferrari

An unexciting result does not erase optimism.

Ferrari not perfect in qualifying for the Austin Sprint Race, but both Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz see positives ahead of the continuation of the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix weekend. The Monegasque finished third and the Spaniard fifth at the end of a Friday that greeted the return of Max Verstappen ahead of everyone. Feelings in Maranello remain però good.

"We did not get the ideal result, but qualifying in third position at the Sprint Race is not è bad – è was Leclerc's end-of-day analysis -. Our race pace with the averages è good, we will do everything to make up more positions. We perhaps lack a little bit of rhythm with the softs, which is why I was not able to play for pole position".

Leclerc went on to explain what his personal problems were on the treacherous Austin track: "I had a bit of a dirty lap, but in general in Ferrari we were not at our best in the third session of the sprint qualifying. When there's little time, it can happen. I believe, however, that we can put on a solid Sprint Race, which would be a good sign ahead of Sunday".

Similar is the analysis of Sainz, also forced to fifth place after a great start to the weekend. "The level è was very tight, and overall it è did not go badly – said the Spaniard of Ferrari -. With the averages we went well, there è instead we lacked something with the soft. The third session was è decided by a matter of details, we all had only one attempt. During Saturday we will have other possibilities ".

The feeling è however, even for him that he has a competitive Ferrari on his hands. "As far as the race pace is concerned, it seems to me that we can do very well. I think that already; in the Sprint Race we can fight to recover positions, it will be an interesting race", concluded Sainz.