The SF-25 continues to be a single-seater that’s troublesome to place in the best working window, with a serious weak point in qualifying, however in current weekends the outcomes have improved sufficient to deliver Ferrari again to second place within the Constructors’ Championship. McLaren stays distant by way of each factors and efficiency, however the 2025 season can nonetheless ship satisfaction, particularly if the upcoming updates deliver important progress within the automobile’s most problematic areas. The outlook for the Maranello staff was outlined by staff principal Fred Vasseur after the current 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 subject is the SF-25’s poor efficiency in qualifying: “When it comes to race tempo, we’re roughly there. The attribute of this automobile is that it struggles rather 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 may’t afford to start out on the third or fourth row.”
Making an attempt 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 best 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 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 method is sweet.”
Talking of 2026, Fred Vasseur added: “It’s a recent begin from zero, thrilling for everybody. It is going to be a totally new problem. I can’t recall something prefer it in F1. And it’s inconceivable to have references in comparison with the others.”
Drivers: Hamilton’s struggles, Leclerc’s progress
Taking a look at Ferrari, a lot is being mentioned about Lewis Hamilton’s efficiency, clearly nonetheless not relaxed with the SF-25: “It’s a matter of particulars,” mentioned 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 a great 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 the right way to carry Hamilton’s spirits, Fred Vasseur mentioned: “It’s about persevering with to work and push collectively. Actually, the collaboration is sweet. You be taught extra from powerful 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 necessary function. The chemistry between the 2 nonetheless appears to be creating, not helped by some damaging staff radio messages and a mishap in Monaco qualifying that resulted in a penalty for the Briton: “It was as a consequence of a GPS subject — 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 by way of data. Workforce 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 battle happening.”
Hamilton’s efficiency appears particularly poor compared with a Leclerc who seems to have reached the very best stage of his profession: “I’d say so, he’s doing a great job,” Fred Vasseur confirmed. “In comparison with the previous, he’s taken an enormous step ahead by way of readability about what he needs. He’s extra direct in telling the engineers what he wants.”
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