Ferrari faced a challenging weekend at the 2026 Sao Paulo Grand Prix, with drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton reflecting on a race that fell short of expectations. The pair managed to score just eight points combined, marking Ferrari’s lowest-scoring outing since the Italian Grand Prix earlier in the season.
Leclerc’s race was hampered from the start by a 10-place grid penalty due to an internal combustion engine change. He struggled initially with tyre temperature and pace, describing the car as “undriveable” in the opening stint. Despite these difficulties, he improved his position later in the race through strategic tyre choices and overtaking maneuvers. However, a post-race five-second penalty for minor contact with Liam Lawson dropped him from seventh to eighth place.
Hamilton began the race from 20th on the grid following a penalty but showed early promise by gaining 11 positions in the opening laps. As the track dried, his rear tyres degraded rapidly, which affected his pace and led to a late spin. He also gave back a position after leaving the track to avoid a penalty. Hamilton was among the first drivers to switch to slick tyres, which initially helped, but he ultimately finished ninth, a lap behind race winner Lando Norris of McLaren.
Both drivers highlighted the difficulties Ferrari faced with tyre management and overall race pace during the event. Leclerc called the race “a complete disaster to drive,” pointing to issues with straight-line speed and tyre temperature. Hamilton acknowledged the team’s efforts over a demanding triple-header and took responsibility for his late spin, indicating the complexity of the weekend’s challenges.
The race underlined the need for Ferrari to address tyre degradation and improve the car’s performance consistency. While both drivers showed resilience in difficult circumstances, the weekend’s results emphasized the ongoing work required to enhance competitiveness in the championship.
Leclerc and Hamilton’s comments provide a clear view of the hurdles Ferrari encountered in Sao Paulo, focusing on the tangible issues experienced on track rather than speculative technical explanations. Their reflections offer insight into the team’s current situation as they continue to seek improvements in race conditions.