The stage is set for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the fifth round of the 2025 Formula 1 championship. Ferrari opts for a uniform approach at the start, avoiding any tyre strategy differences. Both SF-25 cars line up on the grid with brand-new soft Pirelli tyres. The start by the drivers in red is well-executed, with effective traction. But the race is neutralised after just six corners. At Turn 4, there’s contact between Yuki Tsunoda and Pierre Gasly, who end up in the wall. At that point, the deployment of the Safety Car driven by Bernd Mayländer becomes inevitable.
Five minutes later, the race resumes. The pit crew radios the two Ferrari drivers, instructing them to activate the K1 boost up to Turn 4. At the green flag, the order remains unchanged, and within a few laps, it becomes clear that the Maranello cars cannot match the leaders’ pace. The central sector of the track highlights the main issues, but even the first sector doesn’t seem to be managed optimally.
This explains why Kimi Antonelli starts to loom threateningly in Charles Leclerc’s mirrors, with Lando Norris in the same position behind Lewis Hamilton. After another three laps, the tyres on the SF-25 cars finally reach a more favourable temperature range. This is reflected both in the lap times and in the improved feeling shown by the drivers in the following laps. One fact, however, is undeniable after ten laps: Ferrari doesn’t have the pace to join the fight at the front.
But the Prancing Horse already needs to manage tyre wear. The first tyre check is carried out: Ferrari race engineers Riccardo Adami and Bryan Bozzi ask to update the data screen with all the parameters related to the tyres. The two SF-25 cars appear to be suffering from overheating on the rear axle, a phenomenon that, according to the incoming data, also seems to be affecting Lando Norris’ McLaren. The driver of the MCL39 repeatedly looks for a way past car number 44, which however manages to fend off the attacks.
Twice Lando Norris overtakes Lewis Hamilton, but thanks to DRS, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion is able to retake the position. Eventually, though, the pace of the Woking car proves superior, and the Briton manages to complete the move, securing sixth place. Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc tries to manage his pace in a sort of limbo. He holds fourth place, but the gap to George Russell exceeds three seconds, while Kimi Antonelli in the other Mercedes closes in from behind.
From the pit wall, there are continued warnings about thermal tyre management, with particular attention to the excessive temperature on the rear axle. On lap 20, Norris also overtakes the Italian driver, moving dangerously close to car number 16. A crucial phase of the race begins, with the pit stop window becoming more and more realistic.
The first to pit is Oscar Piastri, who stops early in an attempt to undercut Verstappen. The McLaren radio confirms that the new set of Hard tyres fitted to the Australian does not require a warm-up phase. This information is then shared via team radio with the two Ferrari drivers, who are now nearing their own tyre change.
Among the front runners, pit stops begin and Charles Leclerc inherits the lead on track, as car number 16 extends first stint with Mediums. Behind him, Lewis Hamilton moves up to fourth, right behind the McLaren duo who have already stopped. At that moment, Charles Leclerc’ pace is extremely competitive. The strategy planned by the Ferrari pit wall was to extend the initial stint, which is why car number 16 managed the degradation of the yellow-banded Pirellis very well, and they are still delivering performance.
Opposite scenario for Lewis Hamilton, forced to pit for Hard tyres—a compound that has so far failed to convince on the Maranello cars in the first four races of the season. Ferrari’s strategy, on the other hand, proves effective: Charles Leclerc continues to lap at solid times, despite having now completed 25 laps on the Mediums. Meanwhile, the British driver finds himself in eighth, even overtaken by ISack Hadjar, still running on his first tyre set.
On lap 30, Charles Leclerc also makes his pit stop. Bryan Bozzi suggests a possible front wing flap adjustment, but the change proves unnecessary for the Monegasque. He too switches to Hard tyres. Once back on track, he finds himself once again in fifth place, still behind Russell, with the gap now even wider. However, there is one upside: having completed a stint 10 laps shorter, the Ferrari driver will have fresher tyres for the final part of the race.
The Monegasque goes all-in on the second stint
The Hard tyres work on car number 16 for the first time this season, whereas the same cannot be said for Russell. George complains over the radio and struggles particularly on corner entry with the white-walled tyres. Meanwhile, Lando Norris changes tyres for his first and only stop, rejoining the track behind Charles. When Leclerc gets within Russell’s slipstream, he doesn’t hesitate and overtakes the Briton, taking virtual third place.
We can say that, at least for now, Ferrari’s strategy is working very well. But the threat of Lando Norris remains, who, once past the Mercedes W16 car will become the number one rival for the Monegasque. Six laps later, Lando Norris is in the Ferrari’s slipstream. His pace is superior, and he will attempt a move on the Monegasque. Charles Leclerc gave everything in the final laps.
A drive that earns him his first podium of the season. Great credit goes to the driver and also to the team who, for once, executed the right strategy. This is not the result Ferrari is aiming for. Much more is needed. But at least there is the satisfaction of stepping onto the third step of the podium. Lewis Hamilton finishes only seventh, once again struggling behind the wheel of the SF-25 single-seater. In his case, the expected step forward is still missing.
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