Key Highlights:
- Ferrari endured a frustrating Sao Paulo Grand Prix at Interlagos, with Charles Leclerc finishing P8 following a penalty and Lewis Hamilton crossing the line in P9.
- Both drivers suffered heavy grid penalties for new power unit components and battled severe tyre temperature issues alongside straight-line top-speed deficits throughout the race.
- The result confirmed Mercedes as the 2026 Formula 1 Constructors’ Champions, extending Ferrari’s title drought that has lasted since 2008.
Severe Tyre Temperature Struggles Plague Ferrari at Interlagos
The Sao Paulo Grand Prix delivered a sobering weekend for Scuderia Ferrari, culminating in an underwhelming eighth and ninth place for Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. Just seven days after securing a hard-fought second place in Mexico City, the Italian outfit found itself compromised in Brazil. The primary undoing for Ferrari was an ongoing inability to get tyres operating inside their ideal temperature window—an issue that has repeatedly thwarted their campaigns throughout the 2026 season.
Ferrari faced an uphill battle before Sunday’s race even began. Both Hamilton and Leclerc were hit with 10-place grid drops after fitting new power unit elements. Hamilton’s situation deteriorated further when an engine malfunction during Free Practice 3 forced another change ahead of qualifying. With penalty distributions across the field, Hamilton took the start from 20th position, while Leclerc lined up in 14th after originally qualifying fourth fastest.
Opening Lap Charges and Strategic Gambles
Hamilton delivered an explosive launch off the line, carving his way through the field by gaining 11 positions on the opening lap to briefly hold ninth. He was later forced to surrender a position to Ollie Bearman after completing an off-track overtake. Soon after, the SF-26’s pace evaporated as Hamilton struggled to maintain optimal temperatures on intermediate tyres, while Leclerc faced similar difficulties and made little progress up the order.
Growing increasingly frustrated with intermediate rubber, Hamilton gambled by becoming the first competitor to pit for slick tyres. The move failed to pay off; the car still lacked the required tyre operating temperatures, and Hamilton survived a spin when wet conditions returned, ultimately settling for ninth. Leclerc showed improved pace during the closing laps but clipped Liam Lawson while making a move for seventh, resulting in a penalty that dropped the Monegasque driver to eighth in the final classification.
Fred Vasseur Diagnoses Ferrari’s Technical Deficits
Following the chequered flag, Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur confirmed that tyre performance dictated the team’s Sunday. “I don’t want to speak in details of technical stuff,”
said the Frenchman. “But for sure it’s a lot about tyre temperature, and in certain phases of the race or certain conditions we are struggling more.
“And yeah, there was a huge gap between the beginning of the stint of Charles on softs and last couple of laps, when he was almost as fast as the guys with new tyres.
“As usual, when you have an issue with tyres, the effect or the impact is always much, much higher than the characteristic of the car, or the upgrade that you bring. You can bring an upgrade a weekend, if you are not in the right spot with the tyres, you are nowhere because the magnitude of this is half a second, but most of the upgrades or the characteristic of the track is tenths.”
Evaluating their inconsistent display across sessions, Vasseur noted: “This weekend I think we were able to be into the pace on some occasions, and some occasions we were far away.
“Then there is another issue – starting from the back with the penalty, and the fact that we are still struggling in terms of top speed. When you have only one line dry, it’s mega difficult, and we are stuck at the back.”
Reflecting on the combined impact of grid penalties and aggressive tactics, Vasseur stated: “On Friday we knew that, and then when you have to take the penalty, the approach of the weekend is a bit different.
“Friday we struggled. Saturday was much better, both conditions [dry FP3 and wet Qualifying], but I think it’s an accumulation between the mix of the top speed issue, we had to put the tyres in temperature, and we are at the back, and we are struggling. And then we are trying to find a shortcut on the strategy, and so on.”
Analyzing Hamilton’s premature switch to dry compound tyres, Vasseur remarked: “If you have a look, Alonso was faster on the lap after with the inter. I think we anticipated when we pitted Lewis – it was to be aggressive, and perhaps a bit too much.”
Why This Matters
The events at Interlagos officially settled the 2026 Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship, with Mercedes securing the crown and leaving Ferrari stranded in second place. The outcome guarantees that Maranello’s search for its first constructors’ title since 2008 will extend into at least another season. Despite strong chassis characteristics, straight-line top speed and narrow operational tyre windows continue to hinder Ferrari’s ability to mount sustained title bids across diverse circuits.
Addressing the title conclusion, Vasseur added: “I think everybody on the grid wants to win, wants to fight,”
said Vasseur. “And we are all competitors, and we all want to win. When you start the championship, you have this goal.
“Now we knew from the beginning that it would be difficult for us, we understood from the first straight line, and I think the team did a good job to continue to push to develop the engine.
“I think on the chassis side, on the grip limited side, we are more than performant. But yeah, for sure, congratulations to Mercedes – and see you next year!”
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton finish in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix?
Charles Leclerc was classified in eighth place (P8) after receiving a post-race penalty for contact with Liam Lawson, while Lewis Hamilton finished right behind him in ninth place (P9).
Why did Ferrari start so far down the grid at Interlagos?
Both Ferrari drivers received 10-place grid penalties for introducing fresh power unit components. Hamilton’s starting position dropped further to 20th following an additional engine change prompted by a failure in Free Practice 3, while Leclerc started 14th after qualifying fourth.
What confirmed Mercedes’ 2026 Constructors’ Championship victory?
Ferrari’s low-scoring P8 and P9 finishes at Interlagos left them mathematically unable to catch Mercedes in the points standings, officially crowning Mercedes as the 2026 Constructors’ Champions.
