Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix Qualifying Recap: Ferrari’s Disappointing Performance
In a surprising turn of events at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton marked an unprecedented low for the Scuderia team, qualifying 11th and 12th respectively. This performance marks Ferrari’s first failure to reach the top 10 at Imola since the circuit joined the F1 calendar in 1980.
Leclerc expressed his frustrations post-qualifying, admitting, “We are just P nowhere at the moment,” while highlighting the team’s struggles with the SF-25: “There’s not enough performance in the car, and we need to be better.” His teammate Hamilton echoed this sentiment, stating he felt "gutted" after a disappointing second run in Q2 that yielded slower times compared to his first attempt.
During Friday’s practice sessions, both Ferrari drivers reported brake issues, which seemed addressed on Saturday. However, inherent limitations in the car’s performance were evident, particularly in slower corners, where Leclerc and Hamilton lost significant time compared to rivals. Data revealed that Ferrari was approximately 12 km/h slower at key corner apexes than competitors like Alex Albon’s Williams.
Aston Martin’s strategic use of medium tires allowed Fernando Alonso to secure fifth on the grid and Lance Stroll to finish eighth, while Ferrari struggled with tire warm-up. Leclerc lamented the team’s apparent ceiling: “I cannot perform miracles. This is what there is in the car.”
Looking ahead, Ferrari is expecting upgrades to the SF-25 for the Spanish Grand Prix in two weeks, although Leclerc cautioned, “It has to be a freaking good upgrade if we want it to be a turning point.” Given the team’s historical inconsistency with upgrades, the pressure is on for meaningful progress in the upcoming race.
As the grid prepares for the race, Ferrari faces critical challenges in reclaiming its competitive edge on the track.
