Charles Leclerc hits back at 'unfounded' Ferrari rumours after US GP success

Charles Leclerc has snapped back at the “unfounded rumours” surrounding the team following his podium result at the US Grand Prix.

Leclerc drove to third place at the Circuit of the Americas following a race-long battle with title protagonist Lando Norris. 

Norris completed a late overtake on Leclerc to seal the runner-up position, however Leclerc's run to third marked Ferrari's first podium since the Belgian Grand Prix in July.

Amid a difficult period on the track, team principal Fred Vasseur's future was the centre of speculation as Christian Horner was linked with a move to Ferrari.

The Italian squad issued a statement during the weekend in which it voiced its support for Vasseur.

Leclerc praised the team for how it bounced back from a difficult Friday, when it qualified mid-pack for the sprint race.

“I’m very happy,” Leclerc told media including RacingNews365.

“I'm very happy because obviously we had the gearbox problem in FP1, which cost us a little bit of laps, which then meant we were a little bit on the back foot, trying to recover in the sprint qualifying and sprint race. 

“And then in qualifying we did some fine-tuning, we found a lot more performance. And today was a really good race for us.”

Leclerc feels the strong result was a positive way to respond to the speculation over the team's management.

“So it’s a good thing, especially considering the whole situation,” he said. “The second part of the season hasn’t been easy. 

“There is completely unfounded noise and rumours around the team. 

“And 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.”