The Bahrain Grand Prix was received, as anticipated, by a McLaren MCL39 automotive. Oscar Piastri continued his regular progress, dominated from begin to end, and as soon as once more outperformed an inconsistent Lando Norris. Ferrari tried proper as much as the tip to achieve the rostrum with the instruments at present at its disposal, with Charles Leclerc persevering with to present his all. There was additionally a small present of satisfaction from Lewis Hamilton, who completed solely fifth however confirmed glimpses of tempo through the second stint.
The Maranello group delivered its greatest race of the 2025 Method 1 season. After all, that didn’t take a lot, contemplating the disastrous Sundays at the beginning of the brand new championship, though a small signal of progress had been seen within the Japanese Grand Prix. The up to date ground may need helped in that regard, although solely by just a few hundredths of a second — at the very least that was the warning given by group principal Frederic Vasseur after the race.
It was a Grand Prix wherein Ferrari took a threat, attempting one thing completely different with tyre technique: each Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton began on new medium tyres, whereas all others have been on used softs. This distinction positioned the Monegasque driver at a transparent drawback at the beginning, as he was overtaken by each George Russell and Lando Norris. The latter made a robust begin, aided by an incorrect grid place, which earned him a five-second penalty that was served on the first pit cease.
The 2 SF-25 vehicles didn’t prolong the primary stint a lot past these on softs, coming into the pits collectively and conserving the yellow-marked compound for the second a part of the Bahrain Grand Prix. This opened up an vital window for observe place for Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, who have been undoubtedly the quickest on observe within the second stint. Then a Security Automotive was deployed following a collision between Yuki Tsunoda and Carlso Sainz, which left particles on the observe and successfully ruined the Maranello group’s plans on the 5.412-kilometre Bahrain Worldwide Circuit in Sakhir.
Certainly, the ultimate stint would possible have been on smooth tyres, one thing the SF-25 vehicles in all probability couldn’t have dealt with for round 25 laps — or at the very least that was what these immediately concerned claimed. At that time, with the Security Automotive on observe, everybody pitted for brand new tyres, and Ferrari returned to the Bahrain circuit on laborious tyres, at a transparent drawback in comparison with the McLaren vehicles, who have been on new mediums and likewise in opposition to the Mercedes W16 automotive of George Russell on softs.
Charles Leclerc was then third behind Oscar Piastri and George Russell, however forward of Lando Norris. He did all the things attainable to carry the place in opposition to the Briton, who finally prevailed just a few laps from the tip, after what was nonetheless a advantageous defensive effort by Ferrari’s quantity 16. However there was little he might do in opposition to McLaren’s superior efficiency and Lando Norris’s more energizing, more practical tyres, as the present championship chief had the sting. Similar to on the Suzuka circuit in Japan, Ferrari gave all the things, but it surely nonetheless wasn’t sufficient.
Charles Leclerc defined that the technique was the one they’d deliberate, however he had imagined the race unfolding otherwise, particularly within the opening laps — he had thought a one-stop technique may need been attainable. With the Security Automotive, which clearly couldn’t be predicted, probably the most logical choice turned two stops. He mentioned they suffered quite a bit with degradation and have been compelled to suit laborious tyres, as a result of with softs they’d by no means have made it to the tip.
The Monegasque driver admitted that Mercedes had a extra full automotive in the Bahrain weekend, which allowed George Russell to be extra daring. Ferrari has given all the things, however sadly it as soon as once more shouldn’t be sufficient. Till he ended up behind George Russell, the sensation with the automotive had been good. From that time on, nevertheless, the tyres started to overheat, and he might not drive the best way he wished.
Even the primary stint was not dangerous, although the stability wasn’t good. Within the second, they’d improved a bit, however with the hards they hadn’t discovered the rhythm they have been hoping for. Charles Leclerc mentioned he hoped to return to preventing for the rostrum quickly. Ending fourth after giving all the things was disappointing; he couldn’t smile on the finish of the day, although he knew they did their utmost. Nevertheless it was nonetheless not sufficient.
Lewis Hamilton accomplished his greatest race since changing into a Ferrari driver — not counting the Dash Race win, which remained his solely actual spotlight to date. Fifth place definitely wouldn’t thrill the tifosi, but it surely did go a way towards dispelling the problems the Briton himself had acknowledged the day earlier than. His dejection had been clear — the sensation with the SF-25 nonetheless wasn’t there, and there was loads of work to do, particularly as Charles Leclerc was managing to extract extra efficiency at this stage, assuming the function of group chief.
Nonetheless, that second stint, throughout which Lewis Hamilton was as quick as his teammate in Bahrain, must turn out to be a place to begin and supply the boldness that’s at present missing.
Lewis Hamilton said that general, it had been a strong race. The seven-time Method 1 world champion acquired off to an honest begin, gained just a few positions within the early phases, and felt aggressive particularly within the center stint on mediums, throughout which he had additionally managed some good overtakes. The tempo was robust, and he had been in a position to push whereas sustaining constant lap instances — one thing he hadn’t managed in earlier races.
The Briton famous that the automotive stability had worsened barely within the last laps on hards, however general he was happy. He thanked the group, saying the technique and pit stops had been executed completely and had made an actual distinction for him. They’d gathered vital information over the weekend and supposed to strategy Jeddah in the identical approach. The British driver additionally thanked the followers for his or her ongoing assist, which he mentioned was actually important.
Lewis Hamilton admitted he hadn’t anticipated issues to go so poorly within the opening races, nor that the efficiency can be so disappointing. He didn’t think about his skill to adapt would fluctuate a lot. Lewis Hamilton hopes he did at the very least present that he nonetheless had one thing inside, and that his aim now was to attract much more from that potential.
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