Ferrari experienced significant performance issues at the 2026 São Paulo Grand Prix, with Charles Leclerc describing the SF-26 as “undriveable” during the opening stint. The team’s struggles were primarily attributed to difficulties in bringing the Pirelli tyres into their optimal operating temperature window. This affected both intermediate and soft compounds throughout the race at Interlagos.
The São Paulo Grand Prix, held on November 8, 2026, saw McLaren’s Lando Norris secure a dominant victory. Max Verstappen finished second for Red Bull, followed by teammate Isack Hadjar in third. Mercedes clinched the 2026 Constructors’ Championship at this event.
Ferrari drivers Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton both faced 10-place grid penalties for new power unit components. Hamilton incurred an additional engine problem in FP3, resulting in a start from 20th position. Leclerc began the race from 14th on the grid.
During the race, Hamilton made an impressive start, gaining 11 places on the opening lap to reach ninth. However, his pace on intermediate tyres quickly deteriorated due to temperature inconsistencies. He was the first driver to switch to slick tyres on lap 14.
Leclerc, despite qualifying fourth, struggled immediately from his P14 start. He reported severe issues with tyre warm-up, particularly on the intermediate tyres. This compromised his initial race pace significantly.
“The execution was okay, but my pace during the first stint was terrible. Especially at the start, we had huge difficulty getting the tyres up to temperature. It’s unbelievable, and it’s just undriveable. Lewis clearly found a solution, because he had an incredible start, but for me it felt like I was driving on ice.”
Team Principal Fred Vasseur acknowledged the SF-26’s inconsistent performance. He stated that tyre behaviour had a greater impact on the outcome than any car characteristics or upgrades. Vasseur noted that the magnitude of tyre issues could equate to half a second per lap.
Leclerc initially crossed the finish line in seventh position. However, he received a five-second time penalty for causing a collision with Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson at Turn 12. This demoted Leclerc to eighth place in the final classification.
Lawson, who had qualified third, was reinstated to seventh place following Leclerc’s penalty. Hamilton ultimately finished the race in ninth position. Ferrari secured a total of six points from the São Paulo Grand Prix.
Despite some signs of improved wet-weather performance in qualifying, the SF-26 failed to translate this into competitive race pace. Ferrari has historically struggled in changeable conditions, and this weekend highlighted ongoing challenges.
Vasseur also cited a top-speed deficit as a contributing factor to Ferrari’s difficulties, especially when recovering from grid penalties on a narrow dry line. The team’s engine has been regarded as less competitive than those of Mercedes and Red Bull.
Looking ahead, Leclerc expressed concern about the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix, scheduled for November 19-21. He warned that the anticipated low temperatures in Nevada could present similar tyre temperature challenges for Ferrari.
