Ferrari recorded their strongest efficiency of the 2025 Components 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 outcome for the Maranello-based group following a difficult begin to the 12 months.
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 serious replace package deal in Bahrain, which included a redesigned flooring, a brand new rear wing, an advanced diffuser, and revised cooling parts.
The Monegasque driver was instrumental in extracting the utmost from the up to date package deal. 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 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 enhance for the Scuderia.
Regardless of these positives, Ferrari recognized a brand new space of concern that have to be addressed. In response to Gazzetta dello Sport, the group acknowledged ongoing points with efficiency on Pirelli’s exhausting 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 gentle tyres after the security automotive part.
The group had already famous indicators of problem with the C1 compound on the Japanese Grand Prix, however the issues grew to become 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 essential limitation in Ferrari’s tyre efficiency envelope that would damage them at circuits the place more durable compounds are mandated.
Happily for the Maranello group, upcoming races could present respiratory house. Pirelli has opted for softer tyre picks for the following 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 priceless 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 will probably 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 will probably be key to sustaining momentum and shutting the hole to the entrance.