The Scuderia from Maranello managed only an eighth and eleventh place in the Sprint Qualifying at Interlagos, struggling across all sectors of the circuit. But why is Ferrari running so slowly, and what scenarios are unfolding?
Return to the track after FP1
The Prancing Horse returned to the track after FP1, where the team had opted not to use any tire compound softer than the hardest option. The Sprint Qualifying did little to confirm the improvements seen in Austin and Mexico. It is worth remembering that even in the United States, the weekend had started poorly, with notable gains only after Charles Leclerc’s experiments during the 100 km mini-race. Now, in Brazil, the track presents additional challenges, including the management of ride heights. Let’s examine the factors behind Ferrari’s collapse.
Ferrari: conservative engine and ride heights
According to analysis by Italian F1 expert Federico Albano, both SF-25 cars were slow across every sector of the circuit. The choice of a higher-downforce rear wing should have helped through the twisty sections, but it did not. Ferrari appears inefficient, struggling not only with downforce but also facing significant drag. In this scenario, engine power also seemed conservative, resulting in modest top speeds. The Maranello team is likely prioritizing component preservation for the remainder of the season and avoiding penalties, showing relatively little concern for the Sprint Race—almost treating it as an extended practice session. The ride heights were almost certainly conservative as well, considering the potential rain, which further disrupted the balance of the car.
Focus on the main race
The Maranello team’s focus remains on the main race, where the most important points are at stake. We will see what conditions the Sprint will face at 15:00 Italian time. The FIA has also issued a weather alert due to an approaching cyclone over Brazil. It remains to be seen if Ferrari can bounce back once again.
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