Ferrari is battling for second place in the Constructors’ Championship, and the Brazilian Grand Prix will be a crucial moment in achieving this target. Is a podium finish for the SF-25 possible in Interlagos?
With only four races remaining before the end of the season, Ferrari currently sits just one point behind Mercedes in the Constructors’ standings, having been overtaken in the last round in Mexico. For the Scuderia of Maranello, it will be essential not to make mistakes in Brazil. But will a podium be realistically achievable?
In the last two races, Ferrari has shown significant improvement in multiple areas. While the car’s raw performance remains the same, as no updates have been introduced since Spa, overall execution and understanding of the SF-25 have progressed. This allowed the Italian team to secure two important podiums, although the characteristics of the tracks also somewhat favored the car. Brazil, however, presents a very different challenge.
Ferrari’s hopes at Interlagos
Recent trips to Brazil have not been particularly kind to Ferrari. The last podium came in 2022 with Carlos Sainz, while the last victory was achieved by Sebastian Vettel back in 2017. Last year, the Italian team started well, finishing second behind a stronger McLaren in the Sprint format. However, changing weather conditions altered the outcome. This season will follow the same format, and Ferrari will face more challenges on paper due to the SF-25’s competitiveness not being exceptional.
Firstly, a podium will be difficult to achieve regardless of conditions, as McLaren appears stronger, along with Red Bull, which has shown clear progress in recent races following new upgrades. Mercedes remains an unknown factor, and their true performance will only be revealed on track.
The Interlagos circuit features a combination of high-speed corners and slow sections, making it crucial for teams to find the ideal setup compromise. This will be even more critical given that the Sprint format includes only one practice session. The Brazilian track also has significant elevation changes, which could challenge the car’s floor management—a known weakness of the SF-25. However, Ferrari has demonstrated the ability to handle this effectively, as seen in the USA.
The key for the Scuderia of Maranello will be to find a setup that offers the best possible compromise to optimize results. Precision and attention to detail will be vital, and then they must focus on managing the competition. As mentioned, securing a podium will be challenging, but nothing is impossible, and weather conditions could always play a decisive role.
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