At the 2026 Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Scuderia Ferrari encountered notable difficulties in managing tyre temperatures, which affected their overall race performance. Despite showing promising pace in previous rounds, the team struggled to keep their intermediates and soft tyres within the optimal temperature range during the race, impacting both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.
Ferrari’s drivers finished eighth and ninth respectively, a result that fell short of expectations following a strong second place in Mexico City the week before. Both Leclerc and Hamilton faced grid penalties due to new power unit elements, with Hamilton’s situation compounded by an engine issue during the final practice session, forcing him to start from 20th on the grid. These setbacks contributed to the challenges Ferrari faced throughout the weekend.
The narrow dry racing line at Interlagos added to Ferrari’s difficulties, limiting overtaking opportunities and making tyre temperature management even more critical. Hamilton opted for an early switch to slick tyres, but despite this aggressive move, he continued to struggle with tyre performance and even experienced a spin when rain returned late in the race. Leclerc showed some competitive pace in the closing stages but was penalised for contact with Liam Lawson, which dropped him from seventh to eighth place.
Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur pointed to tyre temperature issues as the primary factor behind the team’s underwhelming performance in Brazil. He also highlighted the difficulties of starting from the back of the grid due to penalties and acknowledged that Ferrari continues to face a top speed deficit compared to rivals. While the team briefly found competitive pace during certain stints, the combination of tyre challenges and strategic constraints limited their overall race outcome.
Mercedes secured the 2026 Constructors’ Championship at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, with Ferrari remaining a distant second in the standings. Vasseur praised Ferrari’s chassis and grip levels but emphasised the need for further development on the power unit side. He also congratulated Mercedes on their title success, reflecting the current competitive gap between the teams.
The Sao Paulo race underlined how critical tyre temperature management remains in the current Formula 1® season, especially on circuits like Interlagos where track conditions and racing lines can significantly influence performance. Ferrari’s experience in Brazil serves as a reminder of the fine margins that can affect race results, particularly when combined with grid penalties and technical challenges.
Vasseur’s assessment provides a clear indication of the areas Ferrari is focusing on as they look to improve their competitiveness. The team’s ability to address tyre temperature issues and reduce their power unit deficit will be key factors in shaping their performance in upcoming races.