The SF-25 continues to be a single-seater that’s troublesome to place in the proper working window, with a significant 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 when it comes to each factors and efficiency, however the 2025 season can nonetheless ship satisfaction, particularly if the upcoming updates deliver important progress within the automotive’s most problematic areas. The outlook for the Maranello workforce was outlined by workforce 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 automotive”
The 2 consecutive podiums achieved by Charles Leclerc in Monte Carlo and Barcelona have partially improved the workforce’s season report and boosted morale at Ferrari, however the outcomes from the primary 9 races of the 12 months have nonetheless fallen wanting expectations. Fred Vasseur, interviewed by La Stampa, believes the important thing problem is the SF-25’s poor efficiency in qualifying: “When it comes to race tempo, we’re kind of there. The attribute of this automotive is that it struggles way more in qualifying than within the race. Like final 12 months, 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 subsequent day we made a comeback. With 4 groups combating 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 battle 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 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 elements are coming and that Ferrari doesn’t but intend to desert the present automotive to concentrate on subsequent 12 months: “I can say we now have some developments on the best way. It’s not but time to assume solely about 2026, regardless 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 method is nice.”
Talking of 2026, Fred Vasseur added: “It’s a contemporary begin from zero, thrilling for everybody. Will probably be a very 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 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 an excellent weekend and a much less good one. However they’re nonetheless particulars — understanding the automotive, 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 stated: “It’s about persevering with to work and push collectively. Actually, the collaboration is nice. 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 vital position. The chemistry between the 2 nonetheless appears to be creating, not helped by some detrimental workforce radio messages and a mishap in Monaco qualifying that resulted in a penalty for the Briton: “It was because of a GPS problem — we misplaced Max Verstappen’s sign,” the previous Alfa Romeo workforce 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 data. Workforce radio doesn’t scare me — some reactions are comprehensible while 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 when put next with a Leclerc who seems to have reached the most effective 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 desires. He’s extra direct in telling the engineers what he wants.”
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