Vasseur acknowledges that morale has declined following the suspension of development.

      "I believe we could have achieved better results."

      Frederic Vasseur commented that Ferrari’s early choice to halt the development of its 2025 car took a greater psychological toll on the team than he had expected, even though Charles Leclerc’s podium finish in Austin provided some long-awaited relief. In an interview with Canal Plus, amidst ongoing discussions about his leadership and Ferrari’s direction, the Frenchman recognized that while the Scuderia's performance had marginally improved, the effects of a prolonged development freeze had dampened team morale.

      "Am I satisfied? Yes and no," Vasseur said. "We’ve shown improvement compared to recent races, which is positive. However, I feel we could have done better, as we were close." He expressed his thoughts on the strategic move to shift focus to 2026, stating, "The situation is somewhat frustrating. We ceased car development quite early, and I might have underestimated the psychological impact of that decision. Enduring 17 races without development poses a challenge for the whole team. This result today is encouraging, as it provides us with a boost."

      Leclerc’s third-place finish - Ferrari's first podium in several races - was a minor victory amidst a tense time for Maranello, following weeks filled with speculation about management conflicts and driver market rumors. Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna, who attended the event in Austin, praised the result as a sign of renewed unity. "It’s a podium we needed," he told Sky Italia. "When a team collaborates cohesively, the podium symbolizes all the hard work. I’m very pleased and satisfied with the current atmosphere. The beauty of F1 lies in its unpredictability; one must never lose hope."

      Leclerc shared an optimistic outlook after resisting Lando Norris for third place. "This is a great achievement, particularly considering the overall situation," he stated. "The latter half of the season has been challenging. There have been completely unfounded rumors about the team, and to demonstrate that we can remain focused and be rewarded with a podium finish is a really gratifying experience."

      Vasseur was quick to acknowledge both drivers for contributing to the team's morale at Maranello. "This is beneficial for the team," he remarked. "We require this development and two speedy cars. It’s advantageous that we can maximize points with both drivers. Lewis returned and outpaced Charles for two-thirds of the weekend."

      Hamilton, whose behind-the-scenes input has reportedly been vital in refining Ferrari’s strategies, noted the tangible progress made. "We attempted something new in qualifying, and it worked," he clarified. "We’re discussing the timing and its impact on tire temperatures, which subsequently affects the car’s speed."

      Vasseur concurred, stating, "We successfully managed the tires during qualifying. The car has potential, but effectively preparing the tires to reach the optimal working temperature and pressure is key."

      Meanwhile, Red Bull’s Dr. Helmut Marko made a light-hearted comment: "I think I should send Charles some boxes of Red Bull," he joked, referencing Leclerc’s tenacious defense against Norris that contributed to Verstappen’s latest victory.

      Nonetheless, as Ferrari aims for second place in the Constructors’ Championship and seeks its first win of the season, Vasseur's focus remains straightforward. "The goal is to secure a race victory," he emphasized. "We need to continue our efforts. The podium in Austin was a small step forward, but a very significant one."