Ferrari Eyes Improvement Amidst Struggles in 2025 F1 Season
Ferrari’s performance in the 2025 Formula 1 season has been underwhelming, with only one podium finish to date, secured by Charles Leclerc in Jeddah. As the season progresses, the Maranello team anticipates significant improvements, particularly with the forthcoming stricter front wing tests introduced by the FIA at the Spanish Grand Prix in late May.
Leclerc highlighted that these regulatory changes could diminish the aerodynamic advantages currently enjoyed by rivals like McLaren and Mercedes, who have been utilizing flexible aero elements that comply with existing static tests. “These changes will be crucial for our performance,” Leclerc stated, underscoring the potential shift in competitive dynamics.
The team plans to debut a substantial upgrade package at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, with further enhancements scheduled to roll out fully at the Barcelona race two weeks later. These upgrades aim to rectify deficiencies in the SF-25, particularly issues related to downforce and rear-end stability, which have affected performance, notably in Lewis Hamilton’s driving.
Performance metrics reveal that Ferrari has been lagging, with an average qualifying time deficit of 0.323 seconds to McLaren over the past four races. This gap is partly attributable to the SF-25 not advancing as competitively compared to its predecessors, yielding incremental gains of 0.857 seconds versus McLaren’s 1.359 seconds.
Expectations for the upcoming Barcelona race should be tempered, as all teams are likely introducing updates, and past technical directives on rear wing flexibility yielded minimal impact. The true test for Ferrari’s upgrades will be their effectiveness against enhanced competition, marking a critical juncture in the Scuderia’s 2025 campaign.
