With the fourteenth round of the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship now behind us and the summer break officially underway, both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton head into their holidays burdened with doubts and a noticeable drop in morale. At the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix, the Ferrari team appeared to be in a strong position to achieve a significant result—one that ultimately slipped away due to performance issues on the SF-25. In response, Ferrari engineers have already returned to the factory in Maranello to begin a detailed technical investigation.
It had all the makings of a perfect race: no driver errors, strong pace, and a potential to deliver the team’s best result of the season so far. However, things dramatically changed after the second pit stop. From that moment on, the SF-25’s performance noticeably declined, exposing a different and far less competitive side of the car.
The exact cause of Charles Leclerc’s performance drop-off remains unclear. While some speculate that the Monegasque driver suffered chassis damage, and others suggest possible fuel-related issues, the most plausible explanation at the moment appears to be excessive plank wear. This theory suggests that the wooden plank under the car—used to monitor ride height legality and prevent excessive grounding—may have degraded to the point where Ferrari engineers were forced to adjust the car’s configuration.
To reduce the rate of plank wear on the straights—where it is most heavily affected—the team is believed to have lowered the engine power mapping. Additionally, tire pressures were reportedly increased, which would have altered the car’s balance and overall behavior on track. These adjustments may have compromised grip and stability, contributing to the drastic drop in performance.
According to Italian journalist Daniele Sparisci of Corriere della Sera, the Scuderia wasted no time in returning to its Maranello headquarters following the disappointing Hungarian Grand Prix. The goal: to carry out a comprehensive analysis and identify the root cause of the issues encountered at the Hungaroring. Sparisci also noted that Ferrari’s newly introduced rear suspension has delivered some benefits in terms of drivability. However, it has not resolved the persistent issue of ride height management—an aerodynamic and mechanical challenge that has plagued the SF-25 since the beginning of the season.
One important detail that initially went unnoticed is that seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton appears to have experienced the exact same issue as his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc. The British driver, who joined Ferrari this season, was also forced to slow down during the race, hampering his pursuit of a top-ten finish and ultimately leaving him stuck in 13th place. This disappointing result kept him well outside the points-paying positions and added further frustration to an already difficult weekend for the Maranello-based squad.
As the summer break begins, Ferrari faces an urgent need to understand and resolve the SF-25’s performance inconsistencies. The team has shown flashes of competitiveness, but recurring technical setbacks are continuing to undermine their chances of consistently competing at the front of the grid.
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