The Brazilian Grand Prix proved to be a challenging event for the Ferrari team, as Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz struggled to match the performance of their rivals in wet conditions. Despite improved qualifying positions, both drivers were left puzzling over their difficulties on a rain-soaked track.
Leclerc’s Battle to Fifth
Charles Leclerc finished in fifth place, one spot ahead of his qualifying position, yet significantly behind the race victor, Max Verstappen. Verstappen’s impressive drive from 17th to first showcased the capability of his car in wet conditions, highlighting the gap between Red Bull Racing and Ferrari this weekend.
Reflecting on his performance, Leclerc admitted partial responsibility for the disappointing results. “I think I’m partly to blame because obviously we decide the set-ups together with the team. I wanted to go in a direction, however, it was the wrong one,” Leclerc noted. Despite this, he recognised the importance of his fifth-place finish in maintaining Ferrari’s position in the constructors’ standings, with Ferrari remaining second, just 36 points shy of leaders McLaren.
Sainz’s Struggles Continue
For Carlos Sainz, the weekend was marred by consecutive crashes during both qualifying and the race. To compound his challenges, he received a reprimand from the stewards for attempting to drive off with a damaged car, despite marshals being present. This incident typified a weekend where Sainz could find no rhythm with his Ferrari vehicle, particularly in wet conditions.
“I’ve always been a very strong driver in the wet but for some reason, ever since I’ve tried this car in the wet, I’ve never had a good feeling with it,” Sainz expressed. He speculated on the potential reasons, pondering if issues such as tyre energy management or suspension settings could be contributing factors.
Ferrari’s Wet-weather Woes
Both drivers noted the unpredictability of the Ferrari car in the wet. Sainz remarked, “It is clear that it is very difficult and unpredictable to drive.” The struggles were further highlighted by Leclerc’s account of the car’s behaviour, describing it as “extremely difficult to drive, extremely difficult to not do any mistakes.” This lack of control intensified their challenges on race day.
Despite the troubles faced in Brazil, Sainz drew hope from Ferrari’s recent successes, including victories in Mexico and Austin. He acknowledged the challenges of the recent triple-header and looked forward to drier conditions in the remaining races, saying, “Hopefully some dry races coming up and we will try to go for it.”
A Look Ahead
Ferrari has shown strong form in recent weeks and remains a contender for the constructors’ title, aiming to overtake McLaren as the season progresses. With upcoming races, particularly in Las Vegas, Sainz emphasised the team’s commitment: “We will be alive until the very end.”
As the season nears its climax, Ferrari aims to address their wet-weather limitations and optimise their performance across all remaining tracks. The team plans to refocus and strategise effectively for a strong finish to the campaign.
