Ferrari’s decision to start the Malaysian Grand Prix on Soft slick tyres unfortunately backfired immediately at Sepang, compromising the race for both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. The Maranello team was not alone in taking the gamble, with several other teams, including McLaren, also choosing dry-weather tyres, but the decision proved costly once the race properly got under way.
Ferrari’s slick-tyre gamble fails at Sepang
For what ultimately became the true start of the Malaysian Grand Prix, Ferrari elected to take a risk with the Soft slick compound. The conditions remained difficult enough, however, for that choice not to pay off.
There had already been two laps behind the Safety Car, during which some drivers reconsidered their tyre choice. Sergio Perez and Oscar Piastri were among those who returned to the pits to switch to intermediate tyres before the start.
Ferrari went in the opposite direction. Both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc remained on slick tyres, which proved to be the wrong option when the lights went out.
Charles Leclerc damages front wing after contact
The situation became even more difficult for Charles Leclerc at the Berjaya hairpin. The Ferrari driver made contact with Nico Hulkenberg’s Audi from behind and damaged his front wing.
As a result, Charles Leclerc returned to the pits because of the damage and fitted slick tyres again. Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, remained committed to Ferrari’s original gamble and stayed out on slicks.
The opening phase therefore left both Ferrari drivers dealing with the consequences of a tyre choice that failed to match the conditions, with the Scuderia’s Malaysian Grand Prix compromised almost immediately.
