Vasseur blames tyre temperatures for Ferrari's Brazil struggles

Ferrari endured a disappointing Sao Paulo Grand Prix, with Charles Leclerc finishing eighth and Lewis Hamilton ninth at Interlagos, a week after a close second place in Mexico City. Both drivers started from grid penalties for taking new power unit elements, and Hamilton started 20th after a further change following an issue in final practice.

Hamilton made up 11 places on the opening lap, but struggled to keep his intermediate tyres in the right operating window and later switched to slicks, which also failed to work well. Leclerc was penalised after contact with Liam Lawson while attempting a late pass, dropping him back a place.

Team Principal Fred Vasseur said tyres dominated Ferrari's Sunday, pointing to tyre temperature as the key issue. He said the impact of tyre problems is usually far greater than the effect of the car or any upgrade.