Ferrari recorded their strongest efficiency of the 2025 System 1 marketing campaign so far 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 end result for the Maranello-based group following a difficult begin to the yr.
The opening 4 rounds have uncovered limitations within the SF-25, notably for Lewis Hamilton, who has but to seek 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 flooring, 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 appeared in competition for a podium earlier than a poorly timed security automotive compromised Ferrari’s race technique. However, his fourth-place end – matching his end result from Japan – and Hamilton’s P5 marked a transparent step ahead. For Hamilton, it was his greatest race end result to this point in crimson, offering a small however vital morale enhance for the Scuderia.
Regardless of these positives, Ferrari recognized a brand new space of concern that should be addressed. In response to Gazzetta dello Sport, the group acknowledged ongoing points with efficiency on Pirelli’s onerous compound tyres. Whereas the SF-25 behaved extra constantly 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 instances as soon as the Mercedes driver switched to smooth tyres after the protection automotive section.
The group 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 more durable compound, was anticipated to maintain higher tempo however as a substitute misplaced floor to George Russell, who was on the softer C3 tyres. This uncovered a vital limitation in Ferrari’s tyre efficiency envelope that might harm them at circuits the place more durable compounds are mandated.
Fortuitously for the Maranello group, upcoming races could present respiration house. 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 offers Ferrari useful time to deal with their points with the more durable tyres earlier than the C1 compound returns to the allocation later within the season.
Though the Sakhir Grand Prix showcased significant progress due to the most recent updates, the Italian facet understands that tyre adaptability can be essential for constant efficiency throughout all kinds of tracks. As they put together for his or her residence race at Imola from Might 16–18, fixing this new problem can be key to sustaining momentum and shutting the hole to the entrance.
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