Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur reflected on a qualifying session of mixed emotions for the team at Interlagos. Charles Leclerc secured third place on the grid, while Lewis Hamilton will start only thirteenth in the 2025 Brazilian Grand Prix. Speaking after the session, Vasseur emphasized how tight the current Formula 1 grid is and how small margins can make a huge difference.
“The grid is incredibly close,” Fred Vasseur explained. “We’re talking about just a few tenths between the first and sixteenth positions. It means that a minor mistake, an imperfect preparation lap, or a bit of traffic can easily push you out in Q1 or Q2.”
The Frenchman added that such conditions make teamwork and adaptability crucial. “It happened to us a few weeks ago as well, but this time we managed the whole package better. You need to bring every single element together, because the gap between tenth and third place is just a matter of hundredths.”
Vasseur explains Hamilton’s difficulties in Brazil
After a difficult Friday, Ferrari opted to change the aerodynamic setup of the SF-25, choosing a lower-downforce rear wing for qualifying. The decision paid off, helping Charles Leclerc to secure third position behind Lando Norris and Kimi Antonelli. “Yesterday we were lacking top speed. Today we chose a wing with less drag, and the car responded very well,” Fred Vasseur confirmed.
He also revealed that Ferrari had initially expected rain for the session, but the team adjusted its strategy when the weather turned out to be dry. “We anticipated rain in the morning, but it never came. We switched to a different configuration at the last moment, and it turned out to be the right call.”
Lewis Hamilton, however, struggled more than his teammate. Despite the same car setup, the British driver couldn’t find the right balance in his SF-25, finishing thirteenth. According to Fred Vasseur, Lewis Hamilton’s position doesn’t reflect the true performance potential of Ferrari. “When everything is this close, even a small detail can completely change the result,” he said.
“The WEC victory brings positive energy to the whole Ferrari group”
In closing, Fred Vasseur took a moment to celebrate Ferrari’s recent triumph in the FIA World Endurance Championship, where the 499P number 51 driven by Antonio Giovinazzi, Alessandro Pier Guidi, and James Calado clinched both the drivers’ and constructors’ titles in Bahrain. “We are one team and one company,” Fred Vasseur said with pride. “We’re very happy for the WEC victory. From São Paulo, we send all our support to the endurance team. It’s great for the group’s spirit – a positive energy that motivates everyone to keep pushing.”
Ferrari ready to fight for the podium in Brazil
With Charles Leclerc starting from the second row and Ferrari appearing to have found a strong setup, the team’s focus now turns to the race. Confidence is high in the garage, and Fred Vasseur expressed optimism about a strong result. “We hope to celebrate again tomorrow, maybe with Charles on the podium,” he concluded.
Sunday’s race at Interlagos is expected to be unpredictable, but Ferrari’s goal remains clear – to maximize every opportunity in a championship where even a single tenth of a second can change everything.
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