Ferrari endured the most recent chastening day of their disappointing 2025 Method 1 marketing campaign as Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc struggled in Dash Qualifying on the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Hamilton certified eleventh for Saturday’s shortened race after failing to make it to the start-finish line in time to begin what was meant to be his ultimate flying lap in SQ2. He might but begin additional down the Dash grid as he awaits the stewards’ ruling on a yellow-flag infringement.
Leclerc was lucky to advance to the ultimate a part of the session after his SQ2 spin hampered these behind him on observe, and the Monegasque might then solely handle eighth as he completed behind each Aston Martins in SQ3.
The efficiency halted momentum in-built comparatively encouraging shows ultimately month’s Austin-Mexico Metropolis double header, which noticed Leclerc declare successive podiums and Hamilton produce his finest qualifying results of the season.
Reflecting on Friday’s motion at Interlagos, Hamilton stated: “The staff thought we had been so much sooner than we’re. I gave it the whole lot. In the end, what issues most is that we’re simply not fast sufficient.
“It’s hard to say that (we’re moving in the right direction) when you’re out in Q2, but I do feel like we’re working hard, so there’s not really much more I can do. It is what it is.”
Hamilton has but to attain a grand prix podium throughout his first season with Ferrari, and the seven-time world champion admitted the most recent setback had been a reminder that his marketing campaign is “not going well”.
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Karun Chandhok analyses Ferrari’s Dash Qualifying woes as Lewis Hamilton is beneath investigation for not slowing beneath a double yellow flag
He added: “I’m 11th now, so I’ll just have to some fun from there.
“I believe at this level, it is nearly having enjoyable. It is not going nicely from my facet, my yr. I’ve to simply take pleasure in it wherever I’m. That is all I can do.”
Leclerc ‘not happy’ with ‘very slow’ car
Leclerc said he was “not comfortable” with the car and admitted he had little confidence that the team would be able to significantly improve after Saturday’s Sprint, when they are able to make setup changes before grand prix qualifying.
Leclerc said: “Not comfortable. The automotive was very gradual at the moment. It did not really feel that unhealthy however we’re gradual, so we have one thing to work on and to attempt to enhance for tomorrow.
“My lap in SQ3, the primary one was fairly good. I had a rejected upshift within the final straight, so it value like a tenth and a half. It would not have been significantly better, perhaps P7, however a tricky weekend up to now.
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Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton is eradicated in SQ2 as he runs out of time for an additional flying lap
“Nothing makes me think we are out of place in terms of setup. I’ll try something. Whether it’s going to be better or worse, I’m not sure.”
Ferrari’s disappointing Dash Qualifying exhibiting got here after the staff had opted to run each drivers on only one laborious tyre for everything of the weekend’s sole follow session earlier on Friday.
The logic behind such a transfer could be to maintain as many strategic choices as potential open for the rest of the weekend, however there additionally seemed to be an assumption that their qualifying tempo could be aggressive.
Brundle: Ferrari in double hassle
Sky Sports activities F1’s Martin Brundle defined why he discovered Leclerc’s feedback notably worrying, and provided a concept as to why Ferrari had struggled on Friday.
“The most difficult thing I heard there was Charles Leclerc saying that the car felt quite good,” Brundle stated.
“When the car feels quite good and you’re slow, you’re in double trouble.
“The Ferrari we all know must run extraordinarily low and I am considering that the dips right here and the bumps imply that they’ve needed to carry that. So, it is likely to be fairly benign, nevertheless it simply is not quick sufficient.”
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Lewis Hamilton was pushing laborious on outdated tyres and paid the worth, spinning off the observe at Flip 11 throughout the first follow session on the Sao Paulo GP
The difficult nature of the automotive had already been on show in follow when Hamilton spun within the closing phases of the session.
Sky Sports activities F1’s Jamie Chadwick added: “That car clearly isn’t working. Every time there’s a replay of a Ferrari, you know that it’s either having a moment or looping around.
“It is appeared a handful all weekend. It is irritating. It does not sound like they will totally put a finger on it both, and so they’re fairly despondent in consequence.”
Sky Sports activities F1’s Sao Paulo GP Schedule
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Look again at a number of the most dramatic moments to have taken place on the Sao Paulo Grand Prix
Saturday November 8
1pm: Sao Paulo GP Dash build-up
2pm: SAO PAULO GP SPRINT*
3.30pm: Ted’s Dash Pocket book
5pm: Sao Paulo GP Qualifying build-up
6pm: SAO PAULO GP QUALIFYING
8pm: Ted’s Qualifying Pocket book
Sunday November 9
3.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Sao Paulo GP build-up
5pm: THE SAO PAULO GRAND PRIX
7pm: Chequered Flag: Sao Paulo GP response
8pm: Ted’s Pocket book
*additionally on Sky Sports activities Major Occasion
Method 1’s thrilling title race continues in Brazil with a Dash weekend on the Sao Paulo Grand Prix from this Friday, dwell on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
