Ferrari faces Singapore test as team boss stresses need to maximize every opportunity

Ferrari faces Singapore test as team boss stresses need to maximize every opportunity. Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur previews the Singapore Grand Prix.

Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari SF-25, rear wing, engine, 2025 F1

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur is not making bold proclamations after the disappointments of Monza and Baku. The Frenchman considers the Singapore Grand Prix at Marina Bay one of the most demanding races of the season, due to the high temperatures, the night schedule that follows European time zones, and the strong risk of rain. On wet conditions the SF-25 does not excel, which makes it crucial for Ferrari to get the very best out of the package available this weekend.Singapore will serve as a litmus test for Ferrari. On two low-downforce circuits such as Monza and Baku, where the Scuderia arrived with ambitions of achieving strong results, the outcome was only disappointment. The big question now is whether the streets of the city-state can provide the ground for Ferrari to relaunch what has been a frustrating and inconsistent season so far, especially after Mercedes overtook the Maranello-based team in the Constructors’ Championship following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

At Marina Bay, a track where Ferrari has a positive tradition, the Maranello squad has collected an impressive record: 7 pole positions, 4 victories and 11 podium finishes over the course of 15 editions. The race marks a return to a street circuit with high aerodynamic load, featuring several characteristics reminiscent of Monte Carlo when it comes to the difficulty of overtaking, even though the Singapore circuit will offer four DRS zones to increase overtaking chances.

Adding to the unpredictability is the weather forecast, which looks extremely uncertain and rain-leaning. Statistics indicate that Singapore experiences on average 171 days of rain per year — more than one every two days. It is therefore no surprise that the weather outlook for the race weekend predicts heavy rainfall starting tomorrow and lasting through Saturday, with a reduced probability of showers on Sunday during the race.

Fred Vasseur, fully aware of the limitations of the Ferrari SF-25, avoided making forecasts, preferring instead to underline the challenges that the Marina Bay event poses for all teams involved.

“Singapore is always one of the most demanding races of the year for the whole team, both for the drivers and for the people working on the pit wall or in the garage. The layout of the circuit, the night-time conditions and the high likelihood of a Safety Car combine to make this Grand Prix a true test of concentration and adaptability,” Fred Vasseur explained.

“This year we also have the additional variable of the increased pit lane speed limit, which could influence strategy. As is typical for street circuits, qualifying will once again play a decisive role, and we will have to maximize every session in order to target the best possible starting positions,” he added.

“The objective for the weekend will once again be to maximize the potential, since in the last few races we have seen how small details can make a huge difference in the number of points that you are able to bring home,” concluded the Ferrari boss.