Hamilton’s Sao Paulo Qualifying Disaster: Tyre Troubles Derail Ferrari’s Hopes

Lewis Hamilton suffered a major setback at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. The Ferrari driver qualified a disappointing 13th for Sunday’s main race. His session ended prematurely after being knocked out in the second qualifying segment.

The issue, according to Hamilton, was a persistent failure to generate sufficient tyre temperature. This problem left him struggling for grip throughout the qualifying hour at the Interlagos circuit. His frustration was evident in post-session comments to reporters.

Behind the Scenes: The Tyre Temperature Battle

Hamilton was blunt in his assessment. He cited tyre temperature as the core problem preventing a competitive lap. “The set-up is fine, just couldn’t get the tyres working,” he stated. This technical gremlin has haunted the team at various points this season.

The stark contrast within the Ferrari garage highlighted the issue. While Hamilton languished, his teammate Charles Leclerc secured a spot on the second row in third place. Leclerc’s performance confirmed the car had potential, making Hamilton’s result even more difficult to accept.

The Mental Toll of a Tough Season

Hamilton’s mental state appeared heavily impacted. When asked about his mood, he replied, “Um… not great, not great. I’ll just do what I can tomorrow.” His hopes for the race are minimal, expecting a difficult Sunday with limited overtaking opportunities.

This sentiment reflects a challenging first year with Ferrari. The seven-time champion has faced numerous setbacks. His description of the weekend as “another write-off” underscores the cumulative frustration of unmet expectations and persistent performance issues.

Ferrari’s Constructors’ Championship Conundrum

The team’s focus now shifts to damage limitation. With Leclerc in a strong position to fight for the podium, the team needs points from both cars. The battle for second in the Constructors’ Championship remains incredibly tight with Mercedes and Red Bull.

Every point is crucial in the final races. Hamilton’s ability to fight through the field from 13th could provide a critical boost. Strategy and potential weather changes at the volatile Interlagos circuit may offer a path to recovery.

The team will analyze the data to understand the tyre warm-up discrepancy between its two cars. Solving this riddle is essential not just for Sunday’s race, but for the remaining events on the calendar. The performance gap between drivers on the same team points to a specific, solvable problem.

The Sao Paulo Grand Prix qualifying result is a stark reminder of the fine margins in Formula 1. For Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari, the quest for consistent performance continues, with tyre management remaining a critical hurdle in their championship campaign.

Thought you’d like to know

What was Lewis Hamilton’s qualifying position?

Lewis Hamilton qualified 13th for the 2025 Sao Paulo Grand Prix. He was eliminated in the second segment of qualifying (Q2). This places him well outside the top ten starting positions.

What was the main reason for his poor qualifying?

Hamilton identified tyre temperature issues as the primary problem. He stated he could not get sufficient heat into the tyres, leading to a severe lack of grip. This prevented him from setting a competitive lap time.

How did his teammate Charles Leclerc perform?

Charles Leclerc had a much stronger session, qualifying in third place. He will start on the second row of the grid. His performance confirms the Ferrari car had the pace to compete at the front in Brazil.

What did Hamilton say about his mental state?

Hamilton admitted his mood was “not great” after qualifying. He expressed low expectations for the race, calling it another “write-off weekend.” His comments reflect the frustration of a difficult season.

Can Hamilton score points from 13th on the grid?

Scoring points is possible but will be challenging. Overtaking is difficult at Interlagos, and tyre management is key. The team will rely on strategy and potential safety cars to aid his recovery drive.

Trusted Sources

Motorsport.com, Reuters, Associated Press, BBC Sport