Ferrari recorded their strongest efficiency of the 2025 Method 1 marketing campaign up to now 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 workforce following a difficult begin to the yr.
The opening 4 rounds have uncovered limitations within the SF-25, significantly for Lewis Hamilton, who has but to search 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 bundle in Bahrain, which included a redesigned ground, 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 seemed in competition for a podium earlier than a poorly timed security automobile 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 thus far 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 line with Gazzetta dello Sport, the workforce 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 occasions as soon as the Mercedes driver switched to mushy tyres after the protection automobile part.
The workforce had already famous indicators of issue with the C1 compound on the Japanese Grand Prix, however the issues grew to become extra pronounced in Bahrain. Charles Leclerc, on the tougher 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 important limitation in Ferrari’s tyre efficiency envelope that would damage them at circuits the place tougher compounds are mandated.
Thankfully for the Maranello workforce, upcoming races could present respiration area. Pirelli has opted for softer tyre alternatives 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 useful time to handle their points with the tougher 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 house race at Imola from Might 16–18, fixing this new problem can be key to sustaining momentum and shutting the hole to the entrance.