The SF-25 continues to be a single-seater that’s tough to place in the proper working window, with a serious weak point in qualifying, however in current 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 automotive’s most problematic areas. The outlook for the Maranello crew was outlined by crew 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 crew’s season document 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 concern is the SF-25’s poor efficiency in qualifying: “By way of race tempo, we’re roughly there. The attribute of this automotive is that it struggles rather more in qualifying than within the race. Like final 12 months, however extra pronounced. In Jeddah we have been three tenths off pole, then within the race we have been the quickest. In Imola, on Saturday we have been nowhere (each automobiles eradicated in Q2, ed.), and the subsequent day we made a comeback. With 4 groups preventing on the high, if you wish to win, you may’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 tough, however we wrestle to get it into the proper window to get the tyres to work at their greatest. Qualifying in Imola and Miami have been emblematic, the place we have 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 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 deal with subsequent 12 months: “I can say we now have some developments on the way in which. It’s not but time to assume solely about 2026, though 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 recent begin from zero, thrilling for everybody. It will likely be a totally new problem. I can’t recall something prefer it in F1. And it’s not possible 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 comfortable 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 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 tips on how to carry Hamilton’s spirits, Fred Vasseur mentioned: “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 automobiles had an issue within the last stint, and Lewis’s efficiency suffered from it.”
In Hamilton’s adaptation course of at Ferrari, the connection along with his race engineer Riccardo Adami performs an necessary position. The chemistry between the 2 nonetheless appears to be growing, not helped by some damaging crew radio messages and a mishap in Monaco qualifying that resulted in a penalty for the Briton: “It was because of a GPS concern — we misplaced Max Verstappen’s sign,” the previous Alfa Romeo crew 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 warfare occurring.”
Hamilton’s efficiency appears particularly poor in comparison with a Leclerc who seems to have reached the most effective degree of his profession: “I’d say so, he’s doing an excellent job,” Fred Vasseur confirmed. “In comparison with the previous, he’s taken an enormous 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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