Martin Brundle has questioned Charles Leclerc’s aggressive overtaking attempt on Liam Lawson during the 2026 São Paulo Grand Prix, an incident that ultimately earned the Ferrari driver a five-second time penalty. The collision occurred during a fiercely contested battle for seventh place at Interlagos, with Leclerc later explaining that Ferrari’s lack of straight-line speed had left him with very few opportunities to attack.
The penalty proved costly for the Monegasque, allowing Lawson to reclaim seventh position in the final classification. It also added to a frustrating afternoon for Ferrari, as Lewis Hamilton encountered his own difficulties when changing weather conditions complicated the closing stages of the race.
Martin Brundle questions Charles Leclerc’s move on Liam Lawson
The confrontation between Leclerc and Lawson had its origins in the starting grid. An engine-related penalty dropped the Ferrari driver from fourth to 14th, while Lawson benefited from the reshuffle and lined up third, equalling his best starting position in Formula 1.
As the race developed, their contrasting trajectories gradually brought them together. Leclerc worked his way through the field from his compromised starting position, while the Racing Bulls driver lost places to several faster cars. Their fight for seventh eventually became one of the final significant position battles of the Grand Prix.
Leclerc attempted to force his way past on the inside of the tight Junção corner, choosing an unconventional overtaking opportunity as he tried to overcome Lawson’s resistance. The two cars made contact, although the New Zealander initially managed to retain his position.
Lawson then had to defend again into Turn 1 before Leclerc finally completed the overtake on the acceleration out of Turn 3. However, the incident attracted the attention of the race stewards, who subsequently summoned both drivers.
Watching the battle unfold for Sky Sports F1, former Formula 1 driver and commentator Martin Brundle reacted with immediate concern to the initial contact. After Leclerc completed the pass, Brundle suggested that the Ferrari driver had been fortunate not to be ahead at the relevant timing line, as he might otherwise have been instructed to return the position.
The stewards ultimately imposed a five-second penalty on Leclerc, a sanction that reversed the outcome of the battle and restored Lawson to seventh place.
Charles Leclerc explains why Ferrari’s speed deficit forced him to take a risk
Speaking to French broadcaster Canal Plus after the race, Charles Leclerc acknowledged the intensity of his confrontation with Liam Lawson and explained why he had chosen such an ambitious overtaking attempt.
The Ferrari driver pointed to the slippery conditions, arguing that the reduced grip in the wet allowed competitors to make slightly more contact while racing closely together. He admitted deliberately leaning on Lawson’s car during the manoeuvre, believing that a more conventional approach would have made completing the pass extremely difficult.
More importantly, Leclerc highlighted a substantial straight-line speed disadvantage that had restricted his ability to challenge the Racing Bulls driver elsewhere around the circuit. Although the Red Bull power unit was regarded as stronger than Ferrari’s, the Monegasque also suspected that his own car might have been suffering from an additional power-related problem.
That possibility would require further investigation, particularly given the amount of time Leclerc believed he was losing on the straights. His explanation was that the opportunity at Junção represented his only realistic opening, making it a chance he felt compelled to take despite the associated risk.
Leclerc also described how he subsequently managed his boost more effectively, allowing him to remain approximately alongside Lawson during the following phase of their battle. Despite the penalty, he remained satisfied that he had at least attempted to capitalise on the opportunity when it appeared.
The incident highlighted how difficult overtaking can become when a driver struggles to match a rival’s acceleration and straight-line performance. Even with sufficient pace through the corners, completing a move requires finding a suitable opening and maintaining enough momentum to finish the pass.
Lewis Hamilton’s late gamble compounds Ferrari’s Brazilian GP frustration
Lawson’s result was made even more significant by the problems encountered by Ferrari’s other driver, Lewis Hamilton, during the closing stages of the São Paulo Grand Prix.
As another rain shower arrived, Hamilton elected to remain on slick tyres rather than immediately switching to a more suitable compound. The decision proved unsuccessful, with the seven-time world champion spinning before eventually making his pit stop.
The time lost during that sequence effectively ended Hamilton’s prospects of finishing ahead of Lawson, leaving the Racing Bulls driver in front of both Ferraris.
For Lawson, seventh place represented another occasion on which he emerged as the leading midfield competitor, this time also finishing ahead of two drivers representing one of Formula 1’s traditional front-running teams.
Ferrari, meanwhile, was left reflecting on two very different setbacks. Leclerc’s determined recovery from 14th on the grid was undermined by his penalty, while Hamilton’s decision to remain on slick tyres during the late shower prevented him from challenging Lawson in the final classification.
Leclerc’s concerns about straight-line performance also provided a technical issue for the Maranello team to examine, alongside the consequences of an overtaking attempt that had initially appeared to secure another position.
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