Charles Leclerc has confirmed that Ferrari will implement “significant” setup changes after a dismal Friday session at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, where the team fell well behind its rivals. The Monegasque driver described his experience in the second practice session as “one of the worst feelings I’ve had this year in the car,” highlighting a severe lack of balance that left him seven-tenths of a second behind pace-setter Kimi Antonelli. This performance stands in stark contrast to Ferrari’s recent form, as the team has secured a podium finish in the last four races, making the current struggle in Brazil a critical hurdle to overcome before the weekend concludes.
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The gap between Ferrari and the front-runners was evident throughout the day, with Lewis Hamilton also expressing frustration over the car’s behavior. The 40-year-old British veteran finished nearly half a second behind the leader, mirroring Leclerc’s complaints about the vehicle’s handling. Mercedes, McLaren, and Red Bull all demonstrated superior consistency and speed on the Interlagos circuit, leaving the Scuderia to scramble for answers. Hamilton’s comments echoed Leclerc’s, with both drivers acknowledging that the current configuration is not competitive enough to challenge for pole position or a podium finish in the upcoming sessions.
With the team now in a reactive position, all eyes turn to the final practice session on Saturday at 2.30pm, where engineers will attempt to rectify the issues identified on Friday. Qualifying follows at 6pm, live on Sky Sports F1, presenting a high-stakes opportunity for Ferrari to reverse their fortunes. If Leclerc and Hamilton cannot find the missing grip and balance, they risk being left behind by a field that has clearly found the optimal setup for the Brazilian track, potentially ending their streak of consistent top-three finishes.
Source: Sky Sports
