Leclerc Confident in Ferrari's Race Pace Ahead of São Paulo Grand Prix

Charles Leclerc believes Ferrari possesses "pretty strong" race pace for the São Paulo Grand Prix, as he aims to secure the Scuderia's first victory at Interlagos since Sebastian Vettel in 2017. The Monegasque driver will start Sunday's 71-lap race from third on the grid, behind pole-sitter Lando Norris and the impressive Kimi Antonelli.

Why it matters:

Ferrari has struggled for consistent top-tier results at Interlagos in recent years, with Leclerc himself yet to claim a podium finish there. A strong performance and a potential victory would not only break an eight-year drought for Ferrari at the circuit but also provide a crucial morale boost for Leclerc and the team, who are still seeking their first Grand Prix win of the current season.

The details:

• Leclerc qualified third for the main Grand Prix, marking his third consecutive top-three start, despite what he described as a "very, very challenging weekend" so far.
• He acknowledged a disparity between Ferrari's one-lap pace and long-run performance, noting that the SF-25 appears "pretty strong" in race trim, a sentiment he also felt in Austin and Mexico.
• During the sprint race, Leclerc finished fifth after being held up behind Fernando Alonso, but believes his pace in clear air was promising.
• Circuit History: Ferrari's last Grand Prix victory at Interlagos was in 2017 with Sebastian Vettel. The team's most recent podium at the circuit was Carlos Sainz's third-place finish in 2022.
• Leclerc's best finishes at Interlagos are fourth in 2019 and fifth in 2022.
• The team is under pressure to deliver their first Grand Prix win of the season, with their last full-length race victory coming from Carlos Sainz at the Mexico City Grand Prix last year.

What's next:

Starting from a strong third position, Leclerc is optimistic about his chances. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a high track position after the start to capitalize on their perceived race pace. A solid run in Brazil could significantly alter the narrative for Ferrari and Leclerc, potentially signaling a late-season surge in performance and a valuable confidence injection as they prepare for the final races of the championship and look ahead to next year's challenges.