The stage is ready for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the fifth spherical of the 2025 Components 1 championship. Ferrari opts for a uniform strategy in the beginning, avoiding any tyre technique variations. Each SF-25 automobiles line up on the grid with brand-new gentle Pirelli tyres. The beginning by the drivers in crimson is well-executed, with efficient traction. However the race is neutralised after simply six corners. At Flip 4, there’s contact between Yuki Tsunoda and Pierre Gasly, who find yourself within the wall. At that time, the deployment of the Security Automobile pushed by Bernd Mayländer turns into inevitable.
5 minutes later, the race resumes. The pit crew radios the 2 Ferrari drivers, instructing them to activate the K1 increase as much as Flip 4. On the inexperienced flag, the order stays unchanged, and inside just a few laps, it turns into clear that the Maranello automobiles can’t match the leaders’ tempo. The central sector of the observe highlights the principle points, however even the primary sector doesn’t appear to be managed optimally.
This explains why Kimi Antonelli begins to loom threateningly in Charles Leclerc’s mirrors, with Lando Norris in the identical place behind Lewis Hamilton. After one other three laps, the tyres on the SF-25 automobiles lastly attain a extra beneficial temperature vary. That is mirrored each within the lap instances and within the improved feeling proven by the drivers within the following laps. One reality, nevertheless, is plain after ten laps: Ferrari doesn’t have the tempo to affix the combat on the entrance.
However the Prancing Horse already must handle tyre put on. The primary tyre examine is carried out: Ferrari race engineers Riccardo Adami and Bryan Bozzi ask to replace the info display screen with all of the parameters associated to the tyres. The 2 SF-25 automobiles look like affected by overheating on the rear axle, a phenomenon that, in response to the incoming information, additionally appears to be affecting Lando Norris’ McLaren. The motive force of the MCL39 repeatedly appears for a well past automobile quantity 44, which nevertheless manages to fend off the assaults.
Twice Lando Norris overtakes Lewis Hamilton, however because of DRS, the seven-time Components 1 world champion is ready to retake the place. Finally, although, the tempo of the Woking automobile proves superior, and the Briton manages to finish the transfer, securing sixth place. In the meantime, Charles Leclerc tries to handle his tempo in a type of limbo. He holds fourth place, however the hole to George Russell exceeds three seconds, whereas Kimi Antonelli within the different Mercedes closes in from behind.
From the pit wall, there are continued warnings about thermal tyre administration, with specific consideration to the extreme temperature on the rear axle. On lap 20, Norris additionally overtakes the Italian driver, shifting dangerously near automobile quantity 16. An important section of the race begins, with the pit cease window changing into increasingly practical.
The primary to pit is Oscar Piastri, who stops early in an try and undercut Verstappen. The McLaren radio confirms that the brand new set of Laborious tyres fitted to the Australian doesn’t require a warm-up section. This info is then shared by way of group radio with the 2 Ferrari drivers, who at the moment are nearing their very own tyre change.
Among the many entrance runners, pit stops start and Charles Leclerc inherits the lead on observe, as automobile quantity 16 extends first stint with Mediums. Behind him, Lewis Hamilton strikes as much as fourth, proper behind the McLaren duo who’ve already stopped. At that second, Charles Leclerc’ tempo is extraordinarily aggressive. The technique deliberate by the Ferrari pit wall was to increase the preliminary stint, which is why automobile quantity 16 managed the degradation of the yellow-banded Pirellis very properly, and they’re nonetheless delivering efficiency.
Reverse state of affairs for Lewis Hamilton, pressured to pit for Laborious tyres—a compound that has thus far did not persuade on the Maranello automobiles within the first 4 races of the season. Ferrari’s technique, alternatively, proves efficient: Charles Leclerc continues to lap at stable instances, regardless of having now accomplished 25 laps on the Mediums. In the meantime, the British driver finds himself in eighth, even overtaken by ISack Hadjar, nonetheless operating on his first tyre set.
On lap 30, Charles Leclerc additionally makes his pit cease. Bryan Bozzi suggests a doable entrance wing flap adjustment, however the change proves pointless for the Monegasque. He too switches to Laborious tyres. As soon as again on observe, he finds himself as soon as once more in fifth place, nonetheless behind Russell, with the hole now even wider. Nonetheless, there may be one upside: having accomplished a stint 10 laps shorter, the Ferrari driver can have more energizing tyres for the ultimate a part of the race.
The Monegasque goes all-in on the second stint
The Laborious tyres work on automobile quantity 16 for the primary time this season, whereas the identical can’t be mentioned for Russell. George complains over the radio and struggles significantly on nook entry with the white-walled tyres. In the meantime, Lando Norris adjustments tyres for his first and solely cease, rejoining the observe behind Charles. When Leclerc will get inside Russell’s slipstream, he doesn’t hesitate and overtakes the Briton, taking digital third place.
We will say that, not less than for now, Ferrari’s technique is working very properly. However the specter of Lando Norris stays, who, as soon as previous the Mercedes W16 automobile will grow to be the primary rival for the Monegasque. Six laps later, Lando Norris is within the Ferrari’s slipstream. His tempo is superior, and he’ll try a transfer on the Monegasque. Charles Leclerc gave all the things within the closing laps.
A drive that earns him his first podium of the season. Nice credit score goes to the motive force and likewise to the group who, for as soon as, executed the correct technique. This isn’t the consequence Ferrari is aiming for. Far more is required. However not less than there may be the satisfaction of stepping onto the third step of the rostrum. Lewis Hamilton finishes solely seventh, as soon as once more struggling behind the wheel of the SF-25 single-seater. In his case, the anticipated step ahead continues to be lacking.
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