Charles Leclerc referred to as out “unfounded noise” in direction of Ferrari after he completed third at the US Grand Prix in Austin.
After a race-long battle with Lando Norris, Leclerc took his sixth podium of 2025 a day after Ferrari chairman John Elkann issued a public assertion and mentioned he had “full confidence” in crew principal Frederic Vasseur.
Elkann’s assertion got here in response to contemporary hypothesis linking Christian Horner with Ferrari, whereas there has additionally been rumours about Leclerc’s personal future amid the crew’s disappointing season.
“It was a really good race for us. So it’s a good thing, especially considering the whole situation,” mentioned Leclerc.
“The second a part of the season hasn’t been straightforward. There’s fully unfounded noise and rumours across the crew.
“I think to demonstrate that in those kinds of situations we can stay focused on the job and be rewarded with a podium is a really nice feeling.”
There have been excessive hopes for Ferrari coming into 2025 after they missed out on the Constructors’ Championship by simply 14 factors to McLaren.
The Scuderia have endured a difficult season with no wins, but Vasseur signed a multi-year contract in July – the identical month Horner was sacked by Purple Bull.
Vasseur mentioned on Elkann’s assertion: “I think for everybody, it’s good to have this kind of message. But we have a permanent contact and we already had the message.
“It was extra for the third get together and exterior individuals. It is vital since you cease the discussions and you’re centered on the subsequent one and do not need to reply to all of the questions on it.”
Hamilton: Ferrari on the fitting path
Lewis Hamilton completed a joint season’s greatest fourth as his seek for a maiden Ferrari podium continues.
Hamilton was on Leclerc’s tail however misplaced 10 seconds within the pit-stop part when he stayed out on outdated tyres and was unable to make the time again up.
The seven-time world champion says they went the fallacious approach with the set-up after observe however that he’s “feeling better in the car”.
“A good result, amazing result for the team. Third and fourth is good points. Great to finish ahead of Mercedes to get those points,” he mentioned.
“Definitely a positive. I went forwards, even after a bad start. Lots of positives to take. Naturally I want to be further up. I just have to keep working at it but we are on the right path.”
Hamilton had a comparatively lonely second half of the race in Austin however suffered a difficulty on the ultimate lap.
He mentioned: “I braked into Turn 11 and the thing wouldn’t stop. I was like, ‘Geez, what’s going on?’ But somehow I managed to hold it on in the last few corners, but had huge understeer.
“I assumed the entrance wing was damaged or that one thing occurred with the tyre. It was so near Piastri getting previous.”
Formula 1’s thrilling title race heads continues at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez for the Mexico City Grand Prix this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime