Charles Leclerc continues to struggle with bottoming in his Ferrari SF-26 at Turn 1 of Interlagos during the third free practice session for the 2026 Brazilian Grand Prix. The uneven track surface is causing the car to bounce heavily, making it more difficult for the Monegasque driver to maintain stability, particularly under braking.
The problem has persisted throughout the weekend, adding another complication to Ferrari’s preparations at the Brazilian circuit. The pronounced bumps on the approach to the first corner are making it particularly difficult to keep the car settled during the braking phase.
Ferrari bottoming problems at Interlagos Turn 1 also affect Mercedes
However, the phenomenon does not appear to be exclusive to Ferrari. During Friday’s FP2 session, Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli also experienced severe bouncing on the approach to Turn 1, with the instability even causing his front wheels to lock up.
The difficulties encountered by both teams highlight the delicate compromise required between ride height, stability and overall performance at Interlagos. Finding the right balance is particularly important on a bumpy surface, where controlling the car’s vertical movement can become a significant challenge under braking.
For Charles Leclerc and Ferrari, the continuing bottoming problems represent another aspect of the SF-26’s technical and setup challenges during the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend. The task is to find a configuration that provides sufficient stability through the demanding first corner without compromising the car’s overall performance.
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