Ferrari explains Hamilton's early gains and late decline at Brazil GP
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Nov 9, 2026, 8:15 AM
Last updated Nov 9, 2026

At the Brazilian Grand Prix, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur linked Lewis Hamilton's strong start from 20th to a tyre pressure decision that ultimately hindered his performance. Hamilton gained 11 positions on the first lap but fell back to 14th as the race progressed. He attributed the issues to temperature effects on tyre performance. Charles Leclerc, starting 14th, also faced difficulties, finishing eighth after a penalty. Ferrari's score of six points marked their lowest since the Italian Grand Prix, while Mercedes secured the constructors' title, leading Ferrari by 142 points with two races remaining. Looking ahead, Vasseur expressed concerns about adapting to colder conditions in Las Vegas.
- •Lewis Hamilton started 20th and ended lap one in 9th place.
- •Hamilton finished the race in 14th after losing pace.
- •Charles Leclerc finished eighth after receiving a five-second penalty.
- •Ferrari scored just six points, their lowest haul recently.
- •Mercedes clinched the constructors' title with 22 points in Brazil.
- 8:15 AMYahoo Sports — Vasseur reveals why Hamilton's 11-place Brazil charge came at a cost for Ferrari
"Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has put Lewis Hamilton's fade at the Brazilian Grand Prix down to the team's tyre pressure choice. He says the same setting that fuelled the Briton's 11-place gain on the opening lap is what cost him pace later in the stint.
Sources
External linksOriginal reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days
F1•Nov 9, 2026, 8:39 AM‘This Is What It's About': George Russell Finds Joy in Mercedes' Championship Despite a Difficult 2026 Season
F1•Nov 9, 2026, 8:33 AMRelive the Sao Paulo GP: The Best Moments On and Off the Track
F1•Nov 8, 2026, 11:11 PMRed Bull boss hails Max Verstappen's Brazil podium: "He's beating the sim on a regular basis"
F1•Nov 8, 2026, 10:59 PMWinners and losers from F1's chaotic Brazilian Grand Prix
F1•Nov 8, 2026, 10:53 PMNorris takes pole in heavily-disrupted wet session for São Paulo Grand Prix
F1•Nov 8, 2026, 8:57 PMKimi Antonelli: "Weird" spin and car instability cost F1 Brazilian GP win
