The Sprint Qualifying at Interlagos confirmed a difficult start for Ferrari. Both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc struggled to find their rhythm in Brazil, facing grip and balance issues that limited the potential of the Ferrari SF-25. However, not all hope is lost.
Hamilton’s difficult day
For Lewis Hamilton, the day started poorly right from the free practice sessions, where a spin compromised his preparation. During SQ2, his last chance was lost due to double yellow flags caused by a spin from his teammate. By the time Hamilton crossed the line, the checkered flag had already been waved. He could not complete another lap and ended up in eleventh position. “The yellow flags didn’t help, but there was no lack of effort. We thought we were faster, but we weren’t,” he commented.
Can Ferrari turn things around in Brazil?
Despite the disappointment, the seven-time world champion remained positive. “Starting eleventh, I’ll try to enjoy the race from there. The season isn’t easy, but I need to enjoy the race wherever I am,” he added.
Leclerc’s challenges
Charles Leclerc also faced difficulties. Although he made it into SQ3, he could not go beyond eighth place, finishing four-tenths behind pole-sitter Lando Norris. The Monegasque driver reported a lack of pace and an imperfect feel with the car. “I’m not happy. The car was slow today. It didn’t feel bad to drive, but it simply lacked speed. We need to understand what’s wrong and improve for tomorrow.”
A gearbox issue cost him precious time during his best lap. “On my first attempt in SQ3 I had a good lap. Then I had a missed shift on the final straight and we lost a tenth and a half. But it wouldn’t have changed much.”
Historical context gives reason for optimism
Despite the challenging scenario, there is still room for optimism. At Austin, in the last weekend with a Sprint format, Ferrari had experienced a similar start. In the Sprint Qualifying, both drivers were only ninth and tenth. Yet just a few hours later, in the traditional qualifying session, they reversed the situation, with Leclerc finishing second and Hamilton third.
This gives a signal that a similar turnaround is possible at Interlagos, provided the team can find the right balance. Maranello will analyze all the data before the Sprint race, aiming to understand why the car struggles so much on soft tires and to find a solution to improve single-lap pace, according to f1ingenerale.
Immediate reaction needed to stay in the fight
With a challenging starting grid and opponents in strong form, Ferrari will need to react immediately if they want to keep their duel with McLaren and Red Bull alive. The coming hours will determine whether Interlagos will be another uphill battle or an opportunity for a new comeback in the style of Austin.
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