Ferrari was the second-best workforce by way of factors scored in Bahrain (behind McLaren): let’s check out the weekend’s final result for the Scuderia, together with each optimistic and unfavourable 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 attributable to a penalty for Russell) and completed fourth within the race, however general appeared extra comfortable with the SF-25.
It’s price 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 varied adjustments to the rear of the automobile.
All in all, the automobile confirmed some potential at instances, notably throughout the second stint of the race, the place each Ferraris had been the quickest vehicles on monitor, additionally because of more energizing tyres. In comparison with the primary three races of 2025, a small step ahead appears to have been made in Bahrain, which provides hope for the upcoming rounds.
Lastly, the workforce’s glorious pit stops shouldn’t be missed: not one thing to be taken as a right (simply take a look at Pink Bull’s), and probably a game-changer if the automobile improves additional. Sure, you learn that appropriately: the present tempo nonetheless isn’t sufficient…
…There’s a dissatisfied Lewis Hamilton
Though there was a slight enchancment in Bahrain, it’s unimaginable 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 definitely 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 conserving tempo with the 2 papaya-colored vehicles.
The 2025 challenge nonetheless has but to blossom, as does Lewis Hamilton’s relationship together with his new automobile. 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 in all probability the most effective that would have been anticipated by Sunday, particularly when factoring within the automobile’s tyre administration points—confirmed by Charles Leclerc on the finish of the race. In reality, on exhausting tyres, the Monegasque was lapping slower than George Russell on softs, when the precise reverse would usually be anticipated attributable to degradation. The strategic determination to not use a set of red-banded tyres seemingly stems from that very challenge: the SF-25 wears out its tyres too shortly.
Briefly, there’s nonetheless loads of work to be completed in Maranello if Ferrari needs to return near assembly the expectations set over the winter, when the workforce was imagined to combat 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 dissatisfied if we don’t win no less than one world title.” However that’s one other story…