The Ferrari SF-25, set to be driven by Lewis Hamilton in the upcoming F1 2025 season, has raised some eyebrows in the motorsports world. Former F1 technical director Gary Anderson has voiced concerns about the car’s performance potential, suggesting that it may not be a significant improvement from the Mercedes vehicle Hamilton drove last season.
Hamilton, arguably the most decorated driver in F1 history with a record-equalling seven World Championships and over 100 race wins and pole positions, is scheduled to make his debut with Ferrari at the Australian Grand Prix next week. This comes after his high-profile switch from Mercedes during the winter, in a move that promises to shake up the F1 landscape.
However, the Ferrari SF-25 did not impress at the recent pre-season test in Bahrain, leading Anderson to question its competitiveness. Initial impressions indicate that the car might not be as ‘driver friendly’ as one would expect. It’s worth noting that Hamilton had only managed two wins since 2022 with Mercedes, as the team grappled with adapting to F1’s ground-effect rules.
Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari was seen by many as a chance for him to secure an unprecedented eighth title. However, the SF-25’s performance in Bahrain has cast a shadow over these expectations. According to PlanetF1.com, Ferrari is currently predicted to be trailing behind McLaren, Red Bull, and Mercedes in the early F1 2025 pecking order.
Anderson noted that the Ferrari SF-25 seemed to struggle on the track, with Hamilton making uncharacteristic mistakes. He expressed doubt over whether the new Ferrari car is a better fit for Hamilton than the Mercedes he drove last season, which had its fair share of problems.
Adding to the concerns, it has been reported that Charles Leclerc, Hamilton’s teammate, also faced difficulties with the SF-25’s unpredictable behaviour in Bahrain. The car’s balance has shifted from Leclerc’s preferred oversteer to understeer due to changes implemented over the winter, causing a dip in Leclerc’s confidence in the vehicle.
Ferrari’s technical team, led by Loic Serra, is reportedly leaving no stone unturned in their quest to understand and rectify the SF-25’s issues before the Australian GP. The return to a pullrod front suspension layout, a concept favoured by McLaren and Red Bull, is one of the major changes that the team is hoping to leverage for better performance.
Despite the alarming initial impressions, it’s crucial to remember that it remains early days. The Ferrari team is known for its relentless pursuit of excellence, and there is still ample scope for development and improvement as the season unfolds.
Alex Brundle, the racing driver and son of Sky F1 pundit Martin Brundle, was among the first to comment on the SF-25’s challenging handling. He noted that the car looked ‘really, really nasty’ on track, further giving credence to Anderson’s concerns.
In conclusion, with Hamilton having admitted towards the end of last year that he is ‘not fast anymore’, the performance of the Ferrari SF-25 is likely to play a crucial role in defining the trajectory of his career. It’s clear that all eyes will be on Ferrari and Hamilton as the F1 2025 season kicks off, and fans will be eagerly waiting to see how the story unfolds.