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Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Charles Leclerc validates Bahrain upgrades however Ferrari confront one other efficiency concern


Ferrari recorded their strongest efficiency of the 2025 System 1 marketing campaign up to now final weekend on the 5.412-kilometre Bahrain Worldwide Circuit in Sakhir, with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton ending fourth and fifth respectively. It was a much-needed outcome for the Maranello-based group following a difficult begin to the yr.

The opening 4 rounds have uncovered limitations within the SF-25, significantly for Lewis Hamilton, who has but to seek out his rhythm after becoming a member of from Mercedes. The Italian outfit now trails McLaren by a regarding 94 factors within the Constructors’ Championship. Conscious of their early-season struggles, Ferrari launched a serious replace bundle in Bahrain, which included a redesigned ground, a brand new rear wing, an developed diffuser, and revised cooling elements.

The Monegasque driver was instrumental in extracting the utmost from the up to date bundle. He secured P3 in Q3 and seemed in competition for a podium earlier than a poorly timed security automotive compromised Ferrari’s race technique. Nonetheless, his fourth-place end – matching his outcome from Japan – and Hamilton’s P5 marked a transparent step ahead. For Hamilton, it was his finest race outcome to this point in pink, offering a small however vital morale increase for the Scuderia.

Regardless of these positives, Ferrari recognized a brand new space of concern that should be addressed. Based on Gazzetta dello Sport, the group acknowledged ongoing points with efficiency on Pirelli’s arduous compound tyres. Whereas the SF-25 behaved extra persistently and predictably in Bahrain, it nonetheless lacked competitiveness on the C1 rubber. Charles Leclerc, who had been holding tempo with the leaders, was unable to match George Russell’s lap instances as soon as the Mercedes driver switched to mushy tyres after the security automotive section.

The group had already famous indicators of problem with the C1 compound on the Japanese Grand Prix, however the issues turned extra pronounced in Bahrain. Charles Leclerc, on the tougher compound, was anticipated to maintain higher tempo however as an alternative misplaced floor to George Russell, who was on the softer C3 tyres. This uncovered a crucial limitation in Ferrari’s tyre efficiency envelope that might harm them at circuits the place tougher compounds are mandated.

Thankfully for the Maranello group, upcoming races could present respiration house. Pirelli has opted for softer tyre alternatives for the subsequent few rounds, together with Saudi Arabia, Miami, and Imola. In Jeddah and Miami, groups will run the C3, C4, and C5 compounds, whereas the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix will see the debut of the brand-new C6 alongside the C4 and C5. This sequence offers Ferrari precious time to deal with their points with the tougher tyres earlier than the C1 compound returns to the allocation later within the season.

Though the Sakhir Grand Prix showcased significant progress due to the newest updates, the Italian facet understands that tyre adaptability can be essential for constant efficiency throughout all kinds of tracks. As they put together for his or her dwelling race at Imola from Could 16–18, fixing this new problem can be key to sustaining momentum and shutting the hole to the entrance.

David Carter

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