Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur is hoping for a swift improvement in the balance of the SF-25. The Frenchman reflects on an inconsistent start to the season, in which the Scuderia only finished on the podium twice – excluding the sprint performances of Lewis Hamilton. After Ferrari was regularly able to compete with McLaren in the final stages of 2024, expectations for the current season were high. When will the team live up to these expectations?
The balance issues of the SF-25 pose the biggest challenge for Ferrari. Inconsistent performances mean that drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton have a hard time keeping up with the competition during qualifications. Both drivers were already out in the second qualifying round during the Saturday segment in Imola. Ferrari’s race speed often proves promising, although the team can only partially capitalize on this advantage if it does not start at the forefront.
Tyre Management
Vasseur acknowledges that the team has balance issues, particularly over a single lap. “It’s no secret that we’re struggling a bit with the car’s balance, we need to improve this,” Vasseur responded to Sky Sports. “Fortunately, we were able to correct this a bit in recent weeks, allowing us to still have a good race – then I’m fine with it. Of course, we need to improve our single-lap speed, but I think that has more to do with tyre management. The balance is not perfect, that’s true, but I think that applies to everyone,” said Vasseur nonchalantly.
In the run-up to the Spanish GP, Ferrari pinned their hopes on a new upgrade package. The team introduced a new front wing in Barcelona. However, based on the first free practice sessions, there is little sign of improvement. On the contrary: the margins between all teams seemed to be getting smaller. “It’s too early to make definitive statements,” Vasseur explained. “In the end, you can’t expect a big difference in lap times all of a sudden. But anyone who keeps Bahrain in mind knows that the fastest five cars are within three tenths. If a team can gain about one tenth, it makes a big difference on the grid. If overtaking then also proves difficult, the roles can easily be reversed,” he concluded optimistically.
