The SF-25 continues to be a single-seater that’s tough to place in the fitting working window, with a significant weak point in qualifying, however in latest weekends the outcomes have improved sufficient to carry 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 carry vital progress within the automotive’s most problematic areas. The outlook for the Maranello crew was outlined by crew 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 automotive”
The 2 consecutive podiums achieved by Charles Leclerc in Monte Carlo and Barcelona have partially improved the crew’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 kind of there. The attribute of this automotive 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 subsequent day we made a comeback. With 4 groups combating on the high, 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 tough, however we wrestle to get it into the fitting 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 yr: “I can say we’ve 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 sweet.”
Talking of 2026, Fred Vasseur added: “It’s a contemporary 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 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 comfy 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 superb 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 how one can raise Hamilton’s spirits, Fred Vasseur mentioned: “It’s about persevering with to work and push collectively. Actually, the collaboration is sweet. You study extra from robust moments, and also you come again stronger. In Spain, each automobiles 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 essential position. The chemistry between the 2 nonetheless appears to be creating, not helped by some damaging crew radio messages and a mishap in Monaco qualifying that resulted in a penalty for the Briton: “It was as a result of a GPS problem — 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 by way of info. Group radio doesn’t scare me — some reactions are comprehensible once 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 occurring.”
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 a superb job,” Fred Vasseur confirmed. “In comparison with the previous, he’s taken a giant 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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