The SF-25 continues to be a single-seater that’s troublesome to place in the correct working window, with a serious weak point 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 group was outlined by group 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 group’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 problem 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 far 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 vehicles eradicated in Q2, ed.), and the following day we made a comeback. With 4 groups combating on the prime, if you wish to win, you possibly can’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 correct window to get the tyres to work at their greatest. Qualifying in Imola and Miami had been emblematic, the place we had been sooner on used tyres — one thing I’ve by no means seen in my life.”
Requested concerning the updates associated to the brand new ground and rear suspension anticipated between Canada and Britain, Fred Vasseur remained tight-lipped, solely confirming that new components are coming and that Ferrari doesn’t but intend to desert the present automobile to deal with subsequent yr: “I can say now we have some developments on the best way. It’s not but time to assume solely about 2026, although 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 nice.”
Talking of 2026, Fred Vasseur added: “It’s a contemporary begin from zero, thrilling for everybody. Will probably be a totally 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
Ferrari, a lot is being stated about Lewis Hamilton’s efficiency, clearly nonetheless not comfortable 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 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 raise Hamilton’s spirits, Fred Vasseur stated: “It’s about persevering with to work and push collectively. Truthfully, the collaboration is nice. You be taught extra from robust moments, and also you come again stronger. In Spain, each vehicles had an issue within the ultimate 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 necessary function. The chemistry between the 2 nonetheless appears to be creating, not helped by some unfavorable group radio messages and a mishap in Monaco qualifying that resulted in a penalty for the Briton: “It was on account of a GPS problem — we misplaced Max Verstappen’s sign,” the previous Alfa Romeo group boss emphasised. The French supervisor added on communication with the pit wall: “The primary query to ask is the place we are able to enhance and what Lewis expects when it comes to info. Group radio doesn’t scare me — some reactions are comprehensible if 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 warfare occurring.”
Hamilton’s efficiency appears particularly poor when put next with a Leclerc who seems to have reached the most effective degree of his profession: “I’d say so, he’s doing job,” Fred Vasseur confirmed. “In comparison with the previous, he’s taken an enormous step ahead when it comes to readability about what he desires. He’s extra direct in telling the engineers what he wants.”
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