Ferrari recorded their strongest efficiency of the 2025 System 1 marketing campaign to this point final weekend on the 5.412-kilometre Bahrain Worldwide Circuit in Sakhir, with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton ending fourth and fifth respectively. It was a much-needed outcome for the Maranello-based staff following a difficult begin to the 12 months.
The opening 4 rounds have uncovered limitations within the SF-25, significantly for Lewis Hamilton, who has but to search out his rhythm after becoming a member of from Mercedes. The Italian outfit now trails McLaren by a regarding 94 factors within the Constructors’ Championship. Conscious of their early-season struggles, Ferrari launched a significant replace bundle in Bahrain, which included a redesigned ground, a brand new rear wing, an developed diffuser, and revised cooling elements.
The Monegasque driver was instrumental in extracting the utmost from the up to date bundle. He secured P3 in Q3 and seemed in rivalry for a podium earlier than a poorly timed security automotive compromised Ferrari’s race technique. Nonetheless, his fourth-place end – matching his outcome from Japan – and Hamilton’s P5 marked a transparent step ahead. For Hamilton, it was his finest race outcome to date in purple, offering a small however vital morale increase for the Scuderia.
Regardless of these positives, Ferrari recognized a brand new space of concern that should be addressed. In accordance with Gazzetta dello Sport, the staff acknowledged ongoing points with efficiency on Pirelli’s laborious compound tyres. Whereas the SF-25 behaved extra persistently and predictably in Bahrain, it nonetheless lacked competitiveness on the C1 rubber. Charles Leclerc, who had been holding tempo with the leaders, was unable to match George Russell’s lap occasions as soon as the Mercedes driver switched to delicate tyres after the protection automotive part.
The staff had already famous indicators of issue with the C1 compound on the Japanese Grand Prix, however the issues turned extra pronounced in Bahrain. Charles Leclerc, on the tougher compound, was anticipated to maintain higher tempo however as an alternative misplaced floor to George Russell, who was on the softer C3 tyres. This uncovered a important limitation in Ferrari’s tyre efficiency envelope that might harm them at circuits the place tougher compounds are mandated.
Luckily for the Maranello staff, upcoming races might present respiratory area. Pirelli has opted for softer tyre alternatives for the subsequent few rounds, together with Saudi Arabia, Miami, and Imola. In Jeddah and Miami, groups will run the C3, C4, and C5 compounds, whereas the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix will see the debut of the brand-new C6 alongside the C4 and C5. This sequence provides Ferrari precious time to handle their points with the tougher tyres earlier than the C1 compound returns to the allocation later within the season.
Though the Sakhir Grand Prix showcased significant progress because of the newest updates, the Italian facet understands that tyre adaptability might be essential for constant efficiency throughout all kinds of tracks. As they put together for his or her dwelling race at Imola from Could 16–18, fixing this new problem might be key to sustaining momentum and shutting the hole to the entrance.
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