Leclerc Could Have Fought for Victory in Brazil, Says Vasseur

Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur believes Charles Leclerc was in a prime position to contend for victory or at least a podium finish at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, before a multi-car incident ended his race prematurely. The double DNF for Ferrari in Brazil proved to be a significant blow to their Constructors' Championship aspirations.

Why it matters:

Ferrari's consistent struggle to convert strong pace into championship points continues to plague their season. A potential victory or podium finish would have been crucial in their tight Constructors' battle, especially given the competitive landscape against Mercedes and Red Bull Racing. Missing out on such an opportunity, especially due to circumstances beyond their control, highlights the high stakes and fragility of F1 racing.

The details:

• Double DNF: Ferrari endured a dismal weekend in Brazil, with both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton (who was then replaced by Franco Colapinto, who also DNF'd) failing to finish the race.
• Leclerc's Incident: After a safety car restart, Leclerc was caught in a three-way collision involving Oscar Piastri and Kimi Antonelli, which Vasseur firmly stated was not Leclerc's fault. This incident led to Leclerc's immediate retirement from the race.
• Vasseur's Frustration: Vasseur expressed his disappointment, emphasizing that Leclerc had a strong start and restart, positioning himself well to challenge at the front.
• Championship Impact: The double DNF allowed rivals to gain ground, with Ferrari now sitting fourth in the Constructors' standings, 36 points behind Mercedes and four points behind Red Bull Racing.
• Search for Positives: Despite the harsh outcome, Vasseur pointed to the team's qualifying pace and aggressive attitude during the race as minor positives, though he stressed that points are the ultimate focus at this stage of the championship.

The big picture:

Ferrari's season has been a rollercoaster of promising performances undermined by operational errors or unfortunate race incidents. While the team has shown flashes of raw speed, converting that into consistent results remains their biggest hurdle. The incident in Brazil is a microcosm of their season – potential unfulfilled due to external factors. This pattern raises questions about their championship contending capabilities and their ability to capitalize on every opportunity.

What's next:

Ferrari faces an uphill battle to recover in the Constructors' Championship. With crucial points lost in Brazil, the team must regroup quickly and ensure maximum performance and reliability in the remaining races. The focus will be on minimizing errors and converting any competitive advantage into tangible points to close the gap on their rivals and secure a stronger finish to the season.