Ferrari has endured its latest punishment in a disappointing 2025 Formula 1 campaign, with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc struggling in sprint qualifying for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Hamilton qualified 11th in Saturday’s shortened race after failing to reach the start-finish line in time to begin his final flying lap in SQ2.
Leclerc was lucky enough to qualify for the final part of the session after his SQ2 spin disrupted those following him on track, while the Monegasque finished eighth in SQ3, behind both Aston Martins.
A performance that started with a relatively encouraging showing in last month’s Austin-Mexico City doubleheader halted the momentum that had seen Leclerc achieve back-to-back podium finishes and Hamilton produce his best qualifying result of the season.
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Sao Paulo GP Sprint Qualifying Highlights
Reflecting on Friday’s action at Interlagos, Hamilton said: “The team thought we were a lot faster than we were. I gave everything. Ultimately, the most important thing was that we weren’t fast enough.
“It’s hard to say (we’re moving in the right direction) when we come out of the second quarter, but there’s nothing more we can do because we feel like we’re working hard and that’s it.”
Hamilton is yet to reach a Grand Prix podium during his first season at Ferrari, and the seven-time world champion admitted the latest setback was a reminder that his campaign was “not going well”.
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Karun Chandhok analyzes Ferrari’s sprint qualifying problems as Lewis Hamilton is under investigation for failing to slow down under double yellow flags.
He added, “I’m 11 now, so I think I’ll have to play a little more from now on.”
“Right now I think I’m just trying to have fun. It’s not working for me, bitch. I just have to have fun wherever I can. That’s all I can do.”
Leclerc ‘dissatisfied’ with ‘very slow’ car
Leclerc said he was “unsatisfied” with the car and admitted he had little confidence the team could make significant improvements after Saturday’s sprint, when settings could be changed before Grand Prix qualifying.
Leclerc said: “I’m not happy. The car was very slow today. It wasn’t that bad, but we were slow so it’s something we have to work on and try to improve for tomorrow.
“My lap in SQ3, the first lap was pretty good. I got rejected on the last stretch and it cost me a tenth and a half. A P7 or something like that would have been a lot better, but it’s been a tough weekend so far.
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Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton was eliminated from SQ2 due to lack of additional flying lap time.
“There’s nothing in terms of the setting that we feel isn’t right. We’ll try something. I’m not sure if it will be better or worse.”
Ferrari’s disappointing Sprint Qualifying showing came after the team decided to run both drivers on just one hard tire for the entirety of the weekend’s sole practice session early on Friday.
The logic behind such a move was to keep as many strategic options open as possible for the remainder of the weekend, but there also seemed to be an assumption that their qualifying pace would be competitive.
Brundle: Ferrari faces two problems
Sky Sports F1’s Martin Brundle explains why he thinks Leclerc’s comments are particularly concerning and offers a theory as to why Ferrari underperformed on Friday.
“The hardest thing I heard was Charles Leclerc saying the car was pretty good,” Brundle said.
“The car feels pretty good, and if you’re slow, you’re in double trouble.
“The Ferraris we know need to run extremely low and I think the drops and bumps here mean they’ve had to lift it, so it might be pretty good, but it’s not fast enough.”
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Lewis Hamilton paid the price after going off the track at turn 11 during the first practice session of the Sao Paulo GP, pushing hard on old tires.
The car’s challenging nature was already in action when Hamilton spun in the final stages of the session.
Sky Sports F1’s Jamie Chadwick added: “The car is clearly not working. Every time the replays from Ferrari come out you can see that there is a moment or it is being cycled.
“I’ve seen them in handfuls all weekend. It’s frustrating. I can’t seem to put my finger on it and I feel quite discouraged as a result.”
Sky Sports F1 Sao Paulo GP Schedule
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Take a look back at the most dramatic moments from the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Saturday, November 8
1pm: Sao Paulo GP sprint build-up
2pm: Sao Paulo GP Sprint*
3:30 PM: Ted’s sprint notes
5pm: Preparing for Sao Paulo GP qualifying
6pm: Sao Paulo GP qualifying
8 p.m.: Ted’s Qualifying Notes
Sunday, November 9
3.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Sao Paulo GP build-up
5 p.m.: Sao Paulo Grand Prix
7pm: Checkered flag: Sao Paulo GP reaction
8 p.m.: Ted’s Notes
*Applies to Sky Sports main event as well
Formula 1’s thrilling title race continues in Brazil with the São Paulo Grand Prix Sprint Weekend, broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 from this Friday. Stream Sky Sports NOW – No Commitment, Cancel Anytime
