After the 2026 F1 São Paulo GP, held in changing conditions, Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc discussed the team’s ongoing struggles in these conditions, noting that the Maranello-based outfit still had “plenty” to learn.
In qualifying for the 2026 F1 São Paulo GP, Leclerc showed decent pace in similar conditions to those encountered during the race as he finished the session in P4. A 10-place grid penalty for exceeding the permissible limit for new engine parts this season saw the Monaco-born driver start the 2026 F1 São Paulo GP from P14.
Following initial struggles, particularly with the “rear tyres” during the opening stages, Leclerc’s pace recovered, but it was “too late” to make much progress, and the Ferrari driver crossed the finish line in P7, which turned into P8 after a 5-second time penalty for contact with Racing Bulls Liam Lawson on Lap 69.
At one point on the softs, such was his struggles, the 29-year-old got overtaken by Pierre Gasly on Lap 24 and was down in 14th place. However, a very long stint on those softs of 45 laps brought him back into points contention; Leclerc’s pace picked up as it went on.
“Just very slow in the first stage, struggling a lot with the rear tyres. Towards the end, it was a little bit better, but too late,” said Leclerc in the print media pen following the conclusion of the 2026 F1 São Paulo GP.
Wet and changing conditions remain Achilles’ heel for Ferrari
Given that the car’s performance in wet or changing conditions has been an Achilles’ heel for Ferrari for several years now, Leclerc, who has driven for the Scuderia since the 2019 F1 season, recognizes there is room for improvement, especially in the races. A positive from what was otherwise a difficult 2026 F1 São Paulo GP weekend is the qualifying performance, where Ferrari managed to optimize the car for the conditions.
“It’s 50-50. With the team, we’ve never been so strong in those conditions, and yesterday [qualifying on Saturday], I think we understood something in terms of where we need to run the car on the wet for qualifying.
“But in the race, I think there’s still plenty we need to understand.”
São Paulo GP battle with Hamilton
Over the course of the 2026 F1 season, battles with Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton have become more intense, with the latest tumble in Mexico likely costing the team a win. During the 2026 F1 São Paulo GP, the Ferrari duo found themselves on the same part of the track again, but this time kept it clean when Hamilton passed the Monegasque on Lap 59, who says it was pointless to defend given the pace difference at that stage of the race.
“Yes, Lewis [Hamilton] was much faster than me, so at that time there was no point for me to fight.”
Ferrari needs to “analyse” 2026 F1 São Paulo GP performance, says Leclerc
After a string of solid results in recent rounds, Ferrari left the 2026 F1 São Paulo GP with a comparatively lackluster result, with Leclerc finishing eighth ahead of teammate Hamilton. While the 29-year-old Ferrari driver hopes better results are in the cards in upcoming rounds, he says the team first has to “analyze” the rather poor showing in the São Paulo GP before the focus shifts to the next one in Las Vegas, where he expects another “difficult” run due to the low “temperatures”.
“I hope so. I mean, we need to look forward. We first need to analyse this performance, which has been a poor one.
“Then we’ll look at Vegas, which I think might be a difficult one for us with the cold temperatures. Let’s see.”
Racing in the Middle East
As it stands, the 2026 F1 season is set to end with rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi amid the ongoing unrest in the Middle East. Interviewed after the 2026 F1 São Paulo GP, Leclerc was asked whether he would feel comfortable racing in the region. However, the Monegasque declined to answer:
“I prefer not to answer this question.”
