After the Miami Grand Prix qualifying session, Ferrari workforce principal Frederic Vasseur provided a clear-eyed evaluation of the Maranello workforce’s present type, particularly in qualifying, the place the SF-25 single-seater struggles to get probably the most out of the tyres. Whereas the problem could remind a few of final 12 months’s SF-24, the traits differ: then, the problem was with the delicate compound, however now the issue appears extra structural.
The Staff Principal careworn that the problem will not be an absence of potential, because the French supervisor is satisfied it’s there, however relatively the problem in unlocking it. This ends in underwhelming qualifying periods, as much as the purpose the place Ferrari discovered itself even behind Williams on the Miami Worldwide Autodrome in Florida. The phrases of a visibly dejected Charles Leclerc maybe replicate most clearly the truth of an SF-25 that struggles to stability its strengths with its weaknesses.
The numbers from Miami qualifying are telling: in comparison with Max Verstappen, Ferrari misplaced round seven tenths of a second in 4 corners: two tenths in Flip 1, one other tenth and a half between Turns 7 and eight, and three and a half tenths between Flip 12, the place persistent understeer emerged, and the part earlier than Flip 16.
Many of the hole, subsequently, comes from the slow-speed sections, the place the SF-25 automotive exhibits its biggest weaknesses on this begin of the 2025 Formulation 1 championship. Actually, each Williams and Haas have been sooner than Ferrari in these areas. McLaren, then again, proved superior due to its robust front-end response and a mechanically delicate setup that allowed aggressive use of the kerbs.
Whereas Ferrari continues to seek for its identification, its rivals are making regular progress. The problem is not only absolute efficiency, but additionally the truth that Ferrari’s present predominant energy, specifically its straight-line pace, is clearly not sufficient to make an actual distinction. McLaren, for instance, has typically been praised for its versatility: regardless of struggling by way of straight-line effectivity, and having opted for lower-downforce configurations in latest rounds, it stays aggressive in different areas. Whereas not matching Pink Bull’s peak efficiency in quick sections, the MCL39 single-seater sometimes makes up for it with total stability, and that makes it a formidable competitor throughout a lot of the Formulation 1 calendar.
The SF-25 has made a modest step ahead in high-speed sections, persevering with the aerodynamic growth path began with the SF-24. Nevertheless, it nonetheless suffers from understeer in gradual corners, partly resulting from total weak mechanical grip. Charles Leclerc has emphasised this repeatedly: past stability, what is actually lacking is grip.
Maybe probably the most telling determine is that Charles Leclerc managed to submit higher sector occasions on used tyres than on a recent set, failing to use the grip peak—highlighting the SF-25’s qualifying weaknesses. These points additionally have an effect on race day: beginning too far again means getting caught in soiled air and being compelled to chase. At current, a state of affairs that has additionally been seen two weeks in the past within the Jeddah race, the SF-25’s solely actual energy is its straight-line pace, much like Mercedes, which generally runs low-drag setups. Nevertheless, Ferrari struggles to capitalize on it as successfully, typically failing to make equal positive aspects in different efficiency areas.
McLaren stands out for its adaptability; Pink Bull, besides in Miami, can rely on wonderful DRS efficiency and nice tempo in quick sections. A good calendar has helped, however the RB21 clearly has increased efficiency peaks than the Ferrari, even when Bahrain uncovered a few of its personal weaknesses.
From this image, two key takeaways emerge. First, Pink Bull apart, all of Ferrari’s predominant rivals have made vital progress. Second, even though the SF-25 single-seater has gained about 6 kilometers per hour on the straights in comparison with 2024, it has not proven related enhancements in both gradual or quick corners. In high-speed corners, Mercedes has considerably diminished bouncing and improved in low-speed sections as effectively, particularly in sequences of turns, due to a extra environment friendly low-drag setup for the W16. McLaren has made a transparent step ahead in slow-speed corners, changing into a benchmark there, whereas nonetheless enhancing its straight-line efficiency with the MCL39.
On this context, the SF-25’s lack of versatile downforce and its mechanical setup limitations reveal the automotive’s core points by way of qualifying efficiency, particularly on tracks the place a stability between quick and gradual sections is essential. In consequence, it turns into a lot more durable to hit the perfect efficiency window, additional highlighting its flaws.
Setup work can mitigate some weaknesses, however on advanced circuits that isn’t sufficient, as one compromise typically results in one other difficulty. Within the Miami Grand Prix race, Ferrari could present extra aggressive tempo, particularly since tyre administration turns into much less crucial, however beginning too far again makes it tough to construct a strong race.
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