Ferrari’s recent surge in the 2024 Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship was dealt a heavy blow at the Brazilian Grand Prix, where the Italian team fell far short of the pace shown in Austin and Mexico City. After back-to-back wins in the U.S. and Mexico, with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz sharing the spoils, Ferrari faced a punishing weekend in Sao Paulo’s challenging wet conditions, underlining the unpredictability that has plagued their SF-24.
Sainz’s nightmare began with a Q2 crash that relegated him to a pit lane start, followed by another crash that ended his race in the barriers. The Spaniard admitted the car’s unpredictability on wet tracks has been particularly challenging, saying, “Two crashes I honestly can’t explain. This car has been extremely difficult to drive in the wet.” Reflecting on his race, Sainz added, “It’s a Sunday to forget. I’m sorry for the extra work it caused the team, and I’ll reset for Las Vegas.”
Meanwhile, Leclerc struggled with a “pointy, digital, and oversteery” SF-24, finishing where he started in sixth after a mistimed early pit stop left him stuck in traffic. “The top three drivers didn’t put a foot wrong; they deserve the podium,” Leclerc commented. “We weren’t fast enough, and the wrong setup made keeping the car on track a struggle.” Nevertheless, his P5 finish, ahead of both McLarens, salvaged valuable points for Ferrari, limiting the damage in their Constructors’ Championship battle.
Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur acknowledged the weekend’s disappointments but remained optimistic. “We limited the damage against McLaren but should have also scored with Carlos,” he said. “Our pit stop timing wasn’t ideal, and we struggled with tire temperatures after each restart. But overall, we scored the most points across the triple-header, so we’re still fighting.”
Despite falling 36 points behind McLaren, Ferrari maintains its grip on second in the Constructors’ Championship, 13 points clear of Red Bull. With just three races left, the Scuderia is fully committed to keeping the title fight alive until the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
