Capelli after Mexican GP qualifying: “Ferrari is favored in the race; the SF-25 remains stable where others struggle.”
The qualifying session for the 2025 Mexican Grand Prix ended with an excellent performance for Ferrari, which placed Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton in second and third positions, just behind pole-sitter Lando Norris. This result confirms the competitiveness of the SF-25 at the Mexico City circuit, where aerodynamic stability and traction can make a decisive difference.
One of the first to highlight Ferrari’s potential technical advantage was former driver and current technical commentator Ivan Capelli, who noted how the characteristics of the Mexican asphalt could benefit the Maranello team more than others.
Ferrari’s “secret” that could be decisive in Mexico, according to Ivan Capelli
“Ferrari performs well on this track. There are no bumps, it’s a smooth circuit, and while it does bounce over the curbs, it doesn’t lose performance. The car remains flat here, whereas others bounce more, which can give Ferrari an advantage even in the race. The car stays steady, with no movements that cause a loss of aerodynamic downforce,” Ivan Capelli explained.
The features of the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez — smooth surface, slow corners, and relatively low curbs — seem to perfectly match the strengths of the Ferrari SF-25. The Maranello car demonstrates greater stability in sections where other cars suffer bouncing, especially in the slow corners of the final sector.
This factor, combined with good tire management observed during race simulations, could represent a strategic advantage for Ferrari on Sunday, particularly in the opening laps where maintaining position will be crucial.
Starting from second and third positions offers a great opportunity for Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, who can attack Lando Norris right at the start, using the long main straight and slipstream effect. Both drivers showed strong pace in qualifying, and if tire temperature management remains under control, Ferrari could compete for the win.
Everything will depend, as Ivan Capelli emphasized, on the team’s ability to keep the car stable and consistent on a track where tire degradation and elevation changes make every technical choice decisive.
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