The SF-25 continues to be a single-seater that’s troublesome to place in the proper working window, with a significant weak spot in qualifying, however in latest weekends the outcomes have improved sufficient to convey Ferrari again to second place within the Constructors’ Championship. McLaren stays distant when it comes to each factors and efficiency, however the 2025 season can nonetheless ship satisfaction, particularly if the upcoming updates convey vital progress within the automobile’s most problematic areas. The outlook for the Maranello staff was outlined by staff principal Fred Vasseur after the latest Spanish GP, which concluded the European triple header forward of the journey to Canada.
Fred Vasseur: “SF-25, a delicate automobile”
The 2 consecutive podiums achieved by Charles Leclerc in Monte Carlo and Barcelona have partially improved the staff’s season report and boosted morale at Ferrari, however the outcomes from the primary 9 races of the yr have nonetheless fallen in need of expectations. Fred Vasseur, interviewed by La Stampa, believes the important thing challenge is the SF-25’s poor efficiency in qualifying: “By way of race tempo, we’re roughly there. The attribute of this automobile is that it struggles way more in qualifying than within the race. Like final yr, however extra pronounced. In Jeddah we had been three tenths off pole, then within the race we had been the quickest. In Imola, on Saturday we had been nowhere (each automobiles eradicated in Q2, ed.), and the following day we made a comeback. With 4 groups preventing on the prime, if you wish to win, you’ll be able to’t afford to begin on the third or fourth row.”
Attempting to label the SF-25, Fred Vasseur described it as “delicate”, including: “I don’t know if it’s troublesome, however we wrestle to get it into the proper window to get the tyres to work at their finest. Qualifying in Imola and Miami had been emblematic, the place we had been quicker on used tyres — one thing I’ve by no means seen in my life.”
Requested in regards to the updates associated to the brand new flooring and rear suspension anticipated between Canada and Britain, Fred Vasseur remained tight-lipped, solely confirming that new elements are coming and that Ferrari doesn’t but intend to desert the present automobile to give attention to subsequent yr: “I can say we now have some developments on the best way. It’s not but time to suppose solely about 2026, despite the fact that we’re all getting near that time. I can’t make guarantees to the followers besides that we’ll give 200%, pushing like loopy — even when the others aren’t sleeping both. However the strategy is sweet.”
Talking of 2026, Fred Vasseur added: “It’s a recent begin from zero, thrilling for everybody. It will likely be a very new problem. I can’t recall something prefer it in F1. And it’s unimaginable to have references in comparison with the others.”
Drivers: Hamilton’s struggles, Leclerc’s development
Taking a look at Ferrari, a lot is being stated about Lewis Hamilton’s efficiency, clearly nonetheless not relaxed with the SF-25: “It’s a matter of particulars,” stated Fred Vasseur. “We’re speaking about hundredths, which on this extremely aggressive F1 could make the distinction between a primary and a 3rd row, between an excellent weekend and a much less good one. However they’re nonetheless particulars — understanding the automobile, setup, communication. That’s regular when altering groups.”
In Barcelona, the seven-time world champion appeared very downcast on the finish of the Grand Prix. Talking about elevate Hamilton’s spirits, Fred Vasseur stated: “It’s about persevering with to work and push collectively. Actually, the collaboration is sweet. You be taught extra from robust moments, and also you come again stronger. In Spain, each automobiles had an issue within the remaining stint, and Lewis’s efficiency suffered from it.”
In Hamilton’s adaptation course of at Ferrari, the connection together with his race engineer Riccardo Adami performs an essential function. The chemistry between the 2 nonetheless appears to be growing, not helped by some destructive staff radio messages and a mishap in Monaco qualifying that resulted in a penalty for the Briton: “It was because of a GPS challenge — we misplaced Max Verstappen’s sign,” the previous Alfa Romeo staff boss emphasised. The French supervisor added on communication with the pit wall: “The primary query to ask is the place we will enhance and what Lewis expects when it comes to data. Crew radio doesn’t scare me — some reactions are comprehensible whenever you’re doing 300 km/h between the partitions. What issues is that earlier than and after, the dialogue is constructive. I can guarantee you there’s no conflict occurring.”
Hamilton’s efficiency appears particularly poor when put next with a Leclerc who seems to have reached one of the best stage of his profession: “I’d say so, he’s doing an excellent job,” Fred Vasseur confirmed. “In comparison with the previous, he’s taken a giant step ahead when it comes to readability about what he needs. He’s extra direct in telling the engineers what he wants.”
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