Ferrari experienced major problems with their SF-25 racing vehicle at the beginning of the 2025 Formula 1 season during the Australian Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc experienced unforeseen obstacles, resulting in weak results during the competition. Ferrari has provided an in-depth analysis of their failures and upcoming solutions.
The big cost of Ferrari’s mistake came from their setup disaster
The SF-25 suffered a major problem throughout Ferrari’s Melbourne weekend after practice was completed. During the second Friday practice session, Leclerc obtained a speed that made him the fastest driver. Notwithstanding errors discovered from simulator-defined settings, the vehicle operated dangerously next to the track floor.
Ferrari increased the vehicle height to protect the skid blocks from damage during the rest of the weekend. The modification led to reduced aerodynamic strength. The SF-25 faced difficulties from its aggressive aerodynamic profile, making the car perform substandard in both pole position runs and on-track races.
Hamilton and Leclerc expressed their disappointment about the setup choice because Ferrari had failed to deliver what they needed.
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc encountered race challenges, leading to their positions of eighth and tenth place. The compromised setup negatively affected their performance, making their car difficult to handle and control. The team selected a medium-downforce rear wing labeled “parachute,” which worsened the situation because race competitors chose smaller wings.
Hamilton specifically criticized his car’s problematic performance because he felt strong, immediate enhancements were necessary. The Ferrari team sacrificed race competitiveness and performance capability by elevating the vehicle height for safety purposes, thus enabling Ferrari to trail behind other high-performing competitors.
Leclerc continues to show optimism regarding Ferrari’s racing potential despite evidence against it
Following the setbacks, Charles Leclerc holds a positive outlook toward the SF-25. Leclerc eliminated doubts about balance issues by recognizing they stemmed from the testing setup choices. The team had not reached the peak performance level, but Leclerc saw substantial opportunities to find more potential in the car.
According to Leclerc, the short duration of track sessions during races necessitated Ferrari to devote testing sessions to evaluate alternative setup options. The method resulted in performance ambiguity even though it was practically essential. According to his assurance, the team gained insights into the car’s behavior while working on improving its balance.
Ferrari has committed to resolving SF-25 deficiencies and intends to achieve higher performance in upcoming racing events. The simulator at the team facility has become a platform that drivers and Leclerc use to develop the car’s setup and balance capabilities. Optimization of the vehicle’s performance occupies the main priority as safety remains the uppermost concern.
Ferrari holds plans to resolve the SF-25 issues with a recovery strategy
According to Leclerc, the car’s balance adjustment is among the simplest challenges that teams can accomplish. The racing team investigates multiple setup possibilities to discover the best configuration that delivers maximum performance across track characteristics. The team uses substantial testing that cannot be entirely executed during race events.
The Australian Grand Prix brought urgent problems to light that required Ferrari to take immediate action concerning the SF-25. The displeasing first race results motivate the team to work diligently on enhancing the setup and balance of the SF-25. The SF-25 has the potential to transform into a strong racer because of joint work between Hamilton, Leclerc, and the Ferrari engineering team. Future races will showcase whether Ferrari succeeds in conquering its present difficulties and reclaiming its place at the competition’s top.
The Ferrari engineering team conducts an analysis of race data to establish the fundamental reason behind their performance difficulties. The engineers test suspension parameters together with aerodynamic modifications by using simulation systems. Team principal Frédéric Vasseur strongly believes the Ferrari Team will swiftly address its performance problems. Results from upcoming races will demonstrate the advancement Ferrari has made.
