Ferrari has been renowned for its resilience and calm resolve, a trait that propelled them through the Fred Vasseur era. As they grapple with a dismal start to the 2025 Formula 1 season, this trait will be their lifesaver. The team had entered the season with high hopes, chiefly due to the upward trajectory set in 2024 and the power duo of Charles Leclerc and new sensation Lewis Hamilton.
However, a lukewarm pre-season test in Bahrain cast a shadow of doubt over their readiness, despite signs of stability. This was further confirmed when Leclerc led the Friday practice in Australia, even as the team was still tweaking the balance. However, the Australian weekend was a bitter pill to swallow as the hope and anticipation gave way to a disappointing row four start and a paltry five points from a rain-marred race where Ferrari struggled to keep pace.
The performance of the car was a letdown. It was unstable and consumed its tires in both wet and dry conditions. Ferrari’s communication channels seemed fragmented, and the team’s decision-making under pressure fell short of expectations. Hamilton’s much-hyped debut was lackluster, and even Leclerc had an unusual spin.
The downturn can be traced back to qualifying, a time when the SF-25 had a severe tire consumption issue that left both drivers with inadequate grip towards the end of their laps. There are suggestions that the car was too slow to adjust to the rapidly changing track conditions on Saturday when the heat was at its peak. Other theories point to the car being raised to prevent excessive wear and tear, which inadvertently cost downforce and caused sliding.
Regardless of the cause, the overuse of tires was a critical factor for all teams. Vasseur noted how Max Verstappen of Red Bull swiftly went from splitting the two McLarens to being over a second per lap slower due to overheated tires. This highlights the root of Ferrari’s problems – a lack of grip and excessive tire use during qualifying, which had a costly spill-over effect on race day.
The grim verdict from Leclerc on Sunday hinted at a significant pacing issue compared to McLarens and Verstappen. If an inadvertent setup error led to the qualifying debacle, it was not something that could be instantly remedied on race day.
Despite the setback, Ferrari clings to the belief that the qualifying and race results do not accurately reflect the car’s potential or the team’s competence. This is a plausible assertion, considering that Ferrari was outqualified by its main rivals and even a Racing Bulls and a Williams. Hamilton found it challenging to overtake these cars during the race, particularly under the wet conditions.
However, if Ferrari simply misread the conditions, or is yet to discover the sweet spot of its car, the situation is less alarming than it appears. Vasseur is confident that Leclerc’s Friday practice pace and early qualifying performance are more indicative of the team’s real potential. He’s optimistic that the car has more performance to offer, and they just didn’t manage to extract it during the weekend.
The team now pins its hopes on a stronger performance in China, echoing the end of last season when circuit variations, track conditions, and tire demands shifted the balance between different teams. Vasseur assures that Ferrari “will be much better” in China, and that the upcoming weekend “will be different.”
However, the task at hand is not merely to outperform their Australian performance, which is the least they could do. The real challenge lies in determining how much better they can get. McLaren presently seems to be “one step ahead,” and even Hamilton is unsure if Ferrari can match their pace. If this is the case, the championship ambitions could be as bleak as the Melbourne episode.
In times of adversity, Vasseur’s advice for the team is to focus on delivering their best, a prerequisite regardless of the car’s speed. After a challenging weekend in Australia, the team aims to learn from its mistakes, improve communication, and understand the drivers’ needs. Vasseur remains optimistic, saying, “We will be much better next week.”
