As the 2025 Formula 1 season reaches its penultimate stages, Ferrari heads to the Sao Paulo Grand Prix with Charles Leclerc in strong form, having claimed consecutive podiums. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton’s search for his first Ferrari podium shows no signs of ending in Brazil, continuing a challenging transition from Mercedes to the Scuderia.
So far this season, all seven Ferrari podiums have been achieved by Leclerc, with two second-place finishes and five third-place results. Lewis Hamilton, in contrast, has yet to surpass fourth place in any of his 20 starts for Ferrari, marking the lowest podium tally of his 19-year Formula 1 career. This disparity highlights the ongoing adaptation struggles Lewis Hamilton faces with the SF-25.
The Mexican Grand Prix almost offered Hamilton a breakthrough, but a 10-second time penalty prevented him from joining Leclerc on the podium. Charles Leclerc secured a strong P2 at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez, while Lewis Hamilton had to settle for P4 once again. Similarly, at the United States Grand Prix, Leclerc finished P3 ahead of the Briton, who recorded his fourth P4 of the season.
Now, the focus shifts to Interlagos, where the Sao Paulo GP is set to challenge Ferrari’s car performance. Hamilton’s record at the circuit is impressive, boasting three wins and seven podium finishes from 17 previous visits, yet the SF-25’s limitations may hinder the Scuderia’s chances this weekend.
Ferrari SF-25 rotation issues could disrupt Hamilton and Leclerc in Brazil
Reports from Italian media suggest that the Ferrari SF-25 continues to struggle with a “chronic” lack of rotation, a problem that affects both Hamilton and Leclerc. This deficiency is expected to impact performance during the Sao Paulo Grand Prix and the penultimate F1 Sprint of the season on Saturday. Despite various set-up adjustments, Ferrari has been unable to fully resolve the handling issues, particularly when braking while turning at high angles—a critical aspect for attacking Interlagos’ tight corners.
The first sector, including the notorious Senna S (Turns 1 and 2), will pose a particular challenge for both drivers during Sprint qualifying and the main Grand Prix. While the SF-25 struggles in rotation, the car performs relatively better in the acceleration zones, with Turn 12, Juncao, potentially offering some opportunity for Hamilton and Leclerc to recover time.
Weather could play a key role in Hamilton’s podium hopes
Rain is forecast for Interlagos this weekend, which could provide Lewis Hamilton with a chance to mitigate the Ferrari SF-25’s weaknesses. Wet or mixed conditions during Sprint qualifying on Friday, as well as during the Sprint race and Saturday’s Grand Prix, may level the playing field, allowing driver skill to play a more significant role than car performance. Hamilton has previously capitalized on changing conditions, including his P3 finish in the Miami Sprint. There, he expertly timed the switch from intermediate tyres to slicks, moving from P6 on Lap 12 of 18 to finish on the podium, only trailing Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda in tyre strategy.
With the Sao Paulo GP and the final Sprints in Brazil and Qatar remaining, Ferrari’s SF-25 will continue to test the team’s ability to extract maximum performance. Charles Leclerc, having consistently delivered podium finishes, remains the benchmark for the team, while Lewis Hamilton must overcome both the car’s technical limitations and a streak of near misses to finally secure his first Ferrari podium in 2025.
The 2025 Sao Paulo GP promises to be a pivotal weekend for Ferrari. Resolving SF-25 rotation issues could define championship momentum, influence Sprint results, and potentially allow Lewis Hamilton to finally join his Maranello teammate on the podium. With rain on the horizon and strategic tyre choices critical, the Brazilian Grand Prix may once again highlight the fine margins between success and disappointment for the Scuderia.
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