Ferrari was the second-best group by way of factors scored in Bahrain (behind McLaren): let’s check out the weekend’s consequence for the Scuderia, together with each constructive and damaging features.
For a shining Charles Leclerc…
The primary encouraging signal of the Sakhir weekend was undoubtedly the efficiency of Charles Leclerc. The Monegasque driver secured third place in qualifying (which grew to become second on the grid resulting from a penalty for Russell) and completed fourth within the race, however general appeared extra comfy with the SF-25.
It’s value remembering that the SF-25 was considerably up to date for the fourth race of the season, with the introduction of the primary improve bundle of the 12 months, together with a brand new ground and numerous adjustments to the rear of the automotive.
All in all, the automotive confirmed some potential at instances, notably in the course of the second stint of the race, the place each Ferraris had been the quickest vehicles on observe, additionally due to more energizing tyres. In comparison with the primary three races of 2025, a small step ahead appears to have been made in Bahrain, which supplies hope for the upcoming rounds.
Lastly, the group’s glorious pit stops shouldn’t be missed: not one thing to be taken as a right (simply have a look at Purple Bull’s), and probably a game-changer if the automotive improves additional. Sure, you learn that accurately: the present tempo nonetheless isn’t sufficient…
…There’s a disenchanted Lewis Hamilton
Though there was a slight enchancment in Bahrain, it’s unattainable to disregard the championship standings, which present the primary Ferrari driver (Charles Leclerc) trailing Lando Norris by 45 factors within the Drivers’ Championship, and the Scuderia 94 factors behind McLaren within the Constructors’. Gaps like these, after simply 4 of the 24 races, are actually regarding.
For the engineers at Maranello, it’s undoubtedly troubling to as soon as once more end behind George Russell’s Mercedes—not to mention holding tempo with the 2 papaya-colored vehicles.
The 2025 venture nonetheless has but to blossom, as does Lewis Hamilton’s relationship together with his new automotive. The seven-time world champion struggled considerably in qualifying, and a climb again to fifth place isn’t precisely one thing to have a good time.
But that was most likely the perfect that might have been anticipated by Sunday, particularly when factoring within the automotive’s tyre administration points—confirmed by Charles Leclerc on the finish of the race. The truth is, on laborious tyres, the Monegasque was lapping slower than George Russell on softs, when the precise reverse would usually be anticipated resulting from degradation. The strategic resolution to not use a set of red-banded tyres possible stems from that very subject: the SF-25 wears out its tyres too shortly.
In brief, there’s nonetheless loads of work to be performed in Maranello if Ferrari needs to come back near assembly the expectations set over the winter, when the group was alleged to battle for each championships. And let’s be clear: no member of the so-called “pressure-driven press” compelled Charles Leclerc to say, “I’d be disenchanted if we don’t win at the least one world title.” However that’s one other story…
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