Earlier than utterly shifting focus to the fifth spherical of the 2025 System 1 season, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, let’s take yet another take a look at some key insights from Ferrari’s weekend on the 5.412-kilometre Bahrain Worldwide Circuit in Sakhir. The Italian facet made a small step ahead in comparison with the primary a part of the weekend, though the outcome stays inadequate. The Maranello workforce is attempting to optimise the SF-25 automotive following the introduction of a brand new ground, however the step ahead in tyre administration continues to be lacking. That is an space that requires numerous effort, as a result of as we all know, tyres play a vital function within the high class of motorsport.
Given the degradation seen within the first two free apply periods, the Ferrari engineers and technicians opted for a extra versatile technique, with the intention of extending the primary stint and higher managing tyre put on. This selection solely paid off with Charles Leclerc, who, after a poor begin as a consequence of decrease grip, was capable of preserve a tempo just like the drivers forward of him.
Lewis Hamilton, then again, repeatedly complained a couple of lack of grip and solely within the last a part of the stint was he capable of enhance his sector instances. The efficiency enchancment of each Ferrari drivers helped to minimise tyre put on all through the stint. A notice that we are able to nonetheless see in a optimistic mild.
Oscar Piastri managed his tempo by sustaining a minimal hole to George Russell to forestall him from utilizing the drag discount system. As seen based mostly on the telemetry information from the ultimate a part of the primary stint, Oscar Piastri was removed from pushing the automotive to its restrict. In the meantime, George Russell was skilful in managing tyre put on. Benefiting from a softer rear setup, the Briton made good use of the throttle on nook exit, stopping his rival from overtaking.
Pink Bull concluded probably the most tough weekend for the reason that begin of the 2025 System 1 season within the worst potential method. Larger temperatures and errors made through the pit cease tyre modifications prevented Max Verstappen from working his traditional race. The issues started already within the qualifying session, forcing the reigning world champion right into a comeback drive. Caught within the midfield, the four-time System 1 world champion couldn’t management overheating and complained of lack of grip all through the stint. Based mostly on the information associated to tyre degradation we are able to see that tyre put on with the Laborious compound was excessive, forcing the Milton Keynes workforce into an early pit cease. Ferrari, then again, hit their efficiency peak exactly on this part of the race, with Charles Leclerc being the quickest on monitor.
The Ferrari drivers skilled nearly no degradation, and Lewis Hamilton was actually the quickest on monitor shortly earlier than the Security Automobile was deployed. On this part, nevertheless, the Monegasque driver suffered from the turbulence in George Russell’s slipstream, which prevented him from managing overheating. The Monegasque’s purpose was to finish the overtake on the Brit rapidly, however Mercedes’ robust finish of straight pace prevented it.
Bahrain GP third stint: Ferrari suffers from extreme degradation on the Laborious
Lastly, let’s deal with the final part of the Bahrain Grand Prix after the Security Automobile. On medium tyres, Oscar Piastri confirmed all of McLaren’s dominance on this monitor, with the Australian lapping over half a second quicker per lap than his rivals. The cooler temperatures in comparison with Saturday restricted this benefit, which had appeared higher through the free apply periods.
Lando Norris didn’t present the identical efficiency as his McLaren teammate, being slowed first by Charles Leclerc after which by George Russell. All different automobiles struggled with tyre degradation administration in a stint run in dash race mode. Because the telemetry information additionally confirms, each Ferrari drivers didn’t handle the wear and tear of the toughest compound. The Maranello automotive was closely restricted by understeer which, as Lewis Hamilton confirmed over the radio, prevented the required rotation to get probably the most out of the automotive. The problem lies within the problem of holding the toughest compound at optimum temperature, thus limiting the grip out there to the drivers.
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