The stage is about for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the fifth spherical of the 2025 Method 1 championship. Ferrari opts for a uniform method at the beginning, avoiding any tyre technique variations. Each SF-25 vehicles line up on the grid with brand-new tender 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 vehicles 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 vehicles 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 simple 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 verify is carried out: Ferrari race engineers Riccardo Adami and Bryan Bozzi ask to replace the information display with all of the parameters associated to the tyres. The 2 SF-25 vehicles seem like affected by overheating on the rear axle, a phenomenon that, in line with the incoming knowledge, additionally appears to be affecting Lando Norris’ McLaren. The driving force of the MCL39 repeatedly seems to be for a well past automotive quantity 44, which nevertheless manages to fend off the assaults.
Twice Lando Norris overtakes Lewis Hamilton, however due to DRS, the seven-time Method 1 world champion is ready to retake the place. Ultimately, although, the tempo of the Woking automotive 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 kind 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 automotive quantity 16. A vital section of the race begins, with the pit cease window changing into an increasing number of sensible.
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 Onerous tyres fitted to the Australian doesn’t require a warm-up section. This data 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 automotive 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 automotive quantity 16 managed the degradation of the yellow-banded Pirellis very properly, and they’re nonetheless delivering efficiency.
Reverse situation for Lewis Hamilton, compelled to pit for Onerous tyres—a compound that has thus far did not persuade on the Maranello vehicles within the first 4 races of the season. Ferrari’s technique, alternatively, proves efficient: Charles Leclerc continues to lap at strong 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 working on his first tyre set.
On lap 30, Charles Leclerc additionally makes his pit cease. Bryan Bozzi suggests a attainable entrance wing flap adjustment, however the change proves pointless for the Monegasque. He too switches to Onerous 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. Nevertheless, there may be one upside: having accomplished a stint 10 laps shorter, the Ferrari driver can have brisker tyres for the ultimate a part of the race.
The Monegasque goes all-in on the second stint
The Onerous tyres work on automotive quantity 16 for the primary time this season, whereas the identical can’t be mentioned for Russell. George complains over the radio and struggles notably on nook entry with the white-walled tyres. In the meantime, Lando Norris modifications 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 are able to say that, no 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 automotive will change into 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 pieces within the ultimate laps.
A drive that earns him his first podium of the season. Nice credit score goes to the driving force and in addition to the group who, for as soon as, executed the correct technique. This isn’t the outcome Ferrari is aiming for. Far more is required. However no 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 remains to be lacking.
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