Ferrari's Vasseur Laments 'Double Penalty' After Leclerc's São Paulo GP Wipeout

Ferrari's Fred Vasseur expressed deep frustration over a "tough Sunday" at the São Paulo Grand Prix, which saw Charles Leclerc retire and the team suffer a double DNF. Leclerc's race ended prematurely due to a collision he was not at fault for, significantly impacting Ferrari's constructors' championship standing.

Why it matters:

Ferrari's double DNF in São Paulo, their second of the season, has put a serious dent in their fight for third place in the constructors' championship. Losing critical points at this stage of the season is a major blow, especially as they aim to close the gap on Red Bull and Mercedes, highlighting the fragility of their championship aspirations.

The details:

• Leclerc's Retirement: Charles Leclerc was forced to retire on lap six after a safety car restart. He was caught in an incident between Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli and McLaren's Oscar Piastri, being punted off track through no fault of his own.
• Hamilton's Retirement: Teammate Lewis Hamilton retired after 37 laps due to significant damage from two separate incidents on the opening lap: first with Williams' Carlos Sainz at Turn 1, then hitting the back of Alpine's Franco Colapinto, which resulted in the loss of his front wing.
• Championship Impact: Ferrari has now dropped to fourth in the constructors' standings, trailing Red Bull by four points and Mercedes by 36 points.
• Vasseur's Reaction: Team Principal Fred Vasseur stated that Ferrari "paid the full price" for the Antonelli-Piastri crash, emphasizing that Leclerc was an "unwitting victim." He called it a "double penalty" and "very harsh," especially in the competitive battle for championship points.

The big picture:

This weekend marks the first time in five years that Ferrari has endured two double retirements in a single season. The recurring theme of costly incidents and mechanical issues underscores the challenges Ferrari faces in consistently competing at the sharp end of the grid. While Vasseur noted positive qualifying pace and aggressive driving, these positives are overshadowed by the lack of points.

What's next:

Ferrari faces an uphill battle to recover in the constructors' championship. The team will need to analyze the incidents and focus on maximizing every opportunity in the remaining races to try and reclaim third position. Securing reliable performances and avoiding similar costly incidents will be paramount for any hope of a strong finish to the season. Vasseur's comments highlight a focus on potential and positive attitude, but ultimately, points are what count at this stage of the championship.