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Monday, May 5, 2025

7 tenths misplaced over 4 corners


After the Miami Grand Prix qualifying session, Ferrari staff principal Frederic Vasseur provided a clear-eyed evaluation of the Maranello staff’s present type, particularly in qualifying, the place the SF-25 single-seater struggles to get essentially the most out of the tyres. Whereas the difficulty might remind a few of final yr’s SF-24, the traits differ: then, the problem was with the tender compound, however now the issue appears extra structural.

The Crew Principal confused that the difficulty isn’t a scarcity of potential, because the French supervisor is satisfied it’s there, however fairly the problem in unlocking it. This ends in underwhelming qualifying periods, as much as the purpose the place Ferrari discovered itself even behind Williams on the Miami Worldwide Autodrome in Florida. The phrases of a visibly dejected Charles Leclerc maybe mirror most clearly the fact of an SF-25 that struggles to steadiness its strengths with its weaknesses.

The numbers from Miami qualifying are telling: in comparison with Max Verstappen, Ferrari misplaced round seven tenths of a second in 4 corners: two tenths in Flip 1, one other tenth and a half between Turns 7 and eight, and three and a half tenths between Flip 12, the place continual understeer emerged, and the part earlier than Flip 16.

A lot of the hole, subsequently, comes from the slow-speed sections, the place the SF-25 automotive exhibits its best weaknesses on this begin of the 2025 Method 1 championship. In truth, each Williams and Haas had been sooner than Ferrari in these areas. McLaren, alternatively, proved superior due to its robust front-end response and a mechanically tender setup that allowed aggressive use of the kerbs.

Whereas Ferrari continues to seek for its identification, its rivals are making regular progress. The difficulty is not only absolute efficiency, but in addition the truth that Ferrari’s present important energy, specifically its straight-line pace, is clearly not sufficient to make an actual distinction. McLaren, for instance, has typically been praised for its versatility: regardless of struggling when it comes to straight-line effectivity, and having opted for lower-downforce configurations in current rounds, it stays aggressive in different areas. Whereas not matching Pink Bull’s peak efficiency in quick sections, the MCL39 single-seater usually makes up for it with general steadiness, and that makes it a formidable competitor throughout a lot of the Method 1 calendar.

The SF-25 has made a modest step ahead in high-speed sections, persevering with the aerodynamic growth path began with the SF-24. Nonetheless, it nonetheless suffers from understeer in sluggish corners, partly resulting from general weak mechanical grip. Charles Leclerc has emphasised this repeatedly: past steadiness, what is really lacking is grip.

Maybe essentially the most telling determine is that Charles Leclerc managed to publish higher sector instances on used tyres than on a contemporary set, failing to take advantage of the grip peak—highlighting the SF-25’s qualifying weaknesses. These points additionally have an effect on race day: beginning too far again means getting caught in soiled air and being pressured to chase. At current, a state of affairs that has additionally been seen two weeks in the past within the Jeddah race, the SF-25’s solely actual energy is its straight-line pace, much like Mercedes, which usually runs low-drag setups. Nonetheless, Ferrari struggles to capitalize on it as successfully, typically failing to make equal positive factors in different efficiency areas.

McLaren stands out for its adaptability; Pink Bull, besides in Miami, can depend on wonderful DRS efficiency and nice tempo in quick sections. A good calendar has helped, however the RB21 clearly has greater efficiency peaks than the Ferrari, even when Bahrain uncovered a few of its personal weaknesses.

From this image, two key takeaways emerge. First, Pink Bull apart, all of Ferrari’s important rivals have made important progress. Second, although the SF-25 single-seater has gained about 6 kilometers per hour on the straights in comparison with 2024, it has not proven related enhancements in both sluggish or quick corners. In high-speed corners, Mercedes has considerably lowered bouncing and improved in low-speed sections as properly, particularly in sequences of turns, due to a extra environment friendly low-drag setup for the W16. McLaren has made a transparent step ahead in slow-speed corners, turning into a benchmark there, whereas nonetheless bettering its straight-line efficiency with the MCL39.

On this context, the SF-25’s lack of versatile downforce and its mechanical setup limitations reveal the automotive’s core points when it comes to qualifying efficiency, particularly on tracks the place a steadiness between quick and sluggish sections is essential. Because of this, it turns into a lot more durable to hit the best efficiency window, additional highlighting its flaws.

Setup work can mitigate some weaknesses, however on advanced circuits that’s not sufficient, as one compromise typically results in one other concern. Within the Miami Grand Prix race, Ferrari might present extra aggressive tempo, particularly since tyre administration turns into much less crucial, however beginning too far again makes it tough to construct a strong race.

— see video above —

Ferrari's straight-line speed isn’t enough: 7 tenths lost by SF-25 in just 4 corners | F1 Miami data

Alex Marino

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