After the Australian disaster, it was unrealistic to expect the Scuderia to be ahead of McLaren; but in Shanghai, it is at least the second force. That is what the timing sheets indicate, though that is not the only factor that matters…
Progress with the SF-25, but something is still missing
It seems the team has worked in the right direction to unlock the SF-25’s potential. However, one crucial aspect has yet to be addressed: balance.
Despite the Chinese track offering good grip thanks to a recent resurfacing, both Ferrari drivers struggled behind the wheel.
Lewis Hamilton ran wide multiple times at Turn 14, while Charles Leclerc spun between Turns 1 and 2.
To be clear: the two Ferrari drivers were not the only ones who had trouble controlling their cars, but after an alarming Melbourne weekend, it would have been more encouraging (the key word) to see them completely at ease.
A difficult car to drive also has its advantages…
While finding the right balance is crucial, lacking it is not a complete disaster. After all, Lando Norris also stated that “the McLaren is difficult to drive and does not suit his style”; yet, we all recognize its incredible competitiveness.
In short, there is still work to be done at Ferrari—there is no doubt about that. However, compared to Australia, progress has been made. The next opportunity to get answers will be the Sprint qualifying session, scheduled to start in just a few minutes.
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