F1 Spanish GP FP3: Ferrari SF-25 finds balance, focus on correct tire activation

The third and final free practice session in Spain. The Ferrari SF-25 cars and the rest of the Formula 1 cars prepare for qualifying, a crucial aspect for the Maranello team this season, where Saturdays have always been problematic, except for Monaco, but we know how unique the Monte Carlo track is. The hope is that, after yesterday’s difficulties, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton manage to find the key with the softer tires.

The heat complicates things
The two Ferrari cars wait a few minutes before going out on track, as do the vast majority of teams: the Maranello team prefers to watch others’ times to assess track conditions. Meanwhile, the usual technical checks on the power unit, transmission, hybrid system, and brakes are completed without anomalies. The weather is stable, with full sun, high humidity, and temperatures slightly above average for the period.

The two SF-25 cars run with different setups: Charles Leclerc opts for Soft tires, while Lewis Hamilton mounts Mediums. The initial approach is cautious, focusing on correct tire activation. Even before the finish line, steering corrections are visible to manage the exit from the last corner. As happened the previous day, the second sector shows problems on corner entry that result in oversteer on exit.

In these conditions, optimizing the thermal behavior of the compounds is particularly complex. The drivers are immediately told they need to improve performance in turns 2 and 3. For now, however, no changes are made to the front setup: the Ferrari team prefers to wait for another run before intervening on aerodynamic balance. Meanwhile, the team sets two slow laps to cool the tires.

After the cooling laps, the reds push again. In this second run, the car’s balance appears more stable and the lack of rotation is less evident, indicating the direction taken is probably correct. Shortly after, the team starts a short race pace simulation, activating the “Engine 4” mapping with Charles Leclerc, which is the setting used on Sunday, to evaluate tire behavior over three consecutive high-intensity laps.

Positive feelings also come from Lewis Hamilton, who during the same test as his teammate tried the “Engine 1” mode, corresponding to the maximum power of the thermal engine. The goal was twofold: to evaluate the impact of the mapping with a high fuel load and to measure the aerodynamic efficiency of car 44. Once the simulation ends, the Englishman returns to the pits.

Leclerc seven tenths behind Piastri
Charles Leclerc returns to the track with Soft tires, and the latest setup changes seem to have brought some positive feedback. Ferrari appears to have found a more solid balance compared to FP1 and FP2, with a cleaner lap especially in previously more critical sections. However, McLaren responds strongly: Oscar Piastri beats Lando Norris by half a second (with used tires, editor’s note) and is over seven tenths ahead of Charles, who does not hide his frustration on the radio with a rather sharp comment.

After the usual cooling lap, the drivers push again for a new timed attempt. Oscar Piastri’s time is remarkable. Despite forecasts predicting a possible drop in McLaren’s performance due to the new technical directive, the numbers on track tell a different story. In fact, the Woking team looks more competitive than ever.

Given McLaren’s expertise in managing aeroelasticity effects, it is likely that the TD018 affected their package less than expected. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton complains of a gearbox issue on the last lap that prevents him from downshifting correctly. The session ends with a Ferrari improving but still distant from McLaren, which confirms itself as the car to beat looking towards the qualifying session at the Circuit de Catalunya.