Since the start of the 2025 season, Ferrari has been hoping to beat a Red Bull and a McLaren with its SF-25, a car touted as a “revolution” by new technical director Loïc Serra. With significant changes, such as the adoption of variable suspension with steering rods and an aerodynamic redesign, the car promises to narrow the gap between drivers. Lewis Hamilton, after more than a decade at Mercedes, has found his experience and his aura, while Charles Leclerc, about to launch the team, is soon to shine.
Meanwhile, since the first races, the results have been disappointing. With the exception of Hamilton’s victory in the China Sprint, the SF-25 has shown itself to be a capable competitor. In Melbourne, Hamilton finished a modest 10th, despite his title ambitions. At Suzuka, Charles Leclerc did everything he could to finish second, but Hamilton, caught in no position, was lost. Issues with balance, tire management, and suspension stiffness have transformed the SF-25 into a capricious car that is difficult to control, even for a driver of Hamilton’s caliber.
Lewis Hamilton, hired to drive a Mercedes doctor, had to adapt his driving style to an SF-25. “This car requires a more drastic attitude than expected,” he said after a complicated testicle session at Jida, which ended in 13th place in the TL2. Observers, such as former engineer Luigi Mazzola, did not say: “The SF-25 is soft for deep action. Adjusting the balance is like curing persistent activity.” Compared to the 2024 Mercedes W15, a car Hamilton considers problematic, therefore increases the chances.
Charles Leclerc, for his part, has taken a different approach, rejecting Hamilton’s proposed setups to pursue his own path. This divergence is creating tensions within the team, with some communications referring to a “confrontation” between the two drivers. Meanwhile, Ferrari boss Frédéric Vasseur said: “Identify our problems. Loïc and his team are working incredibly hard to help us solve our problems.”
Despite these difficulties, Ferrari has dropped a bombshell: the team is seriously considering abandoning development of the SF-25 to focus on 2026, due to a major regulatory revolution. Secondly, close to Maranello, this decision could be finalized after the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, scheduled for the April 2025 finale. “We haven’t reduced the gap between McLaren and Mercedes; it would make more sense to turn the page,” he explained to us.
It’s a school, once you arrive, inspired by history. In 2014, Mercedes made a decisive decision by anticipating regulatory changes, dominating F1 for almost a decade. Ferrari, which hasn’t won a constructors’ title since 2008, knows that 2026 could be an opportunity for us to return to the top. But it abandoned the SF-25 a few days ago, and until 2025, there will be a difficult admission of fracasso for the committed tifosi.
For now, Ferrari is present in a package of major developments introduced at the Bahrain Grand Prix. This new package, including a re-disenhanced bottom of the car and adjustments to the suspension during the ride, helps correct wear and balance issues. During his three-pound test, Hamilton tested his new suspension, while Leclerc served as a reference with a driver’s version of the car. The initial feedback is mixed. Leclerc, cautious, said: “We found our drivers close, but we are not yet at their level.” Hamilton, for his part, remained laconic: “Assist and prove. We are happy or we are better.”
The engineers, led by Loïc Serra, worked on a second phase, but their implementation depends on the data collected in Bahrain. If these melodies are not sufficient, Ferrari could decide to abandon the SF-25 before the aircraft, a scenario that put Hamilton and Leclerc in an uncomfortable position for the rest of the period.
This drastic decision reflects Frédéric Vasseur’s philosophy: focus on practice and maintain competition. Hamilton, signed to Ferrari on a multi-year contract, knows that 2025 will be a milestone. For 40 years, he has continued to admit that he can win a world title, but he will overcome these turbulences. Leclerc, for his part, continues to prove that he is the future of the Scuderia, who will extract the maximum from an imperfect car.
For the tifosi, this period is a Montanha-Russa experience. Between Hamilton’s hopes, the disappointments of the early races, and the confidence of the SF-25 lap, a Ferrari has stopped short. Will the Scuderia turn things around and temporarily restart, or should we be thinking about 2026? One thing is certain: in Formula 1, nothing is predictable, and Ferrari has never surprised us.
