Ferrari fired up for Qatar GP redemption but faces key challenges at Lusail. Ferrari heads into the Qatar GP determined to bounce back after Las Vegas.

F1 Qatar GP – Ferrari ready to fight back but faces key challenges

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur spoke ahead of the Qatar GP weekend, outlining the main challenges the Scuderia faces at the Lusail Circuit and what could impact both car performance and driver performance.

This weekend marks the penultimate round of the 2025 season and the last of six Sprint races. After a difficult weekend in Las Vegas, Ferrari is seeking redemption and chasing its first victory of the 2025 season. Fred Vasseur presented the Qatar GP, highlighting some of the most challenging aspects of the Lusail track that could influence both the car and the drivers.

The fight for second in the Constructors’ Championship

Following McLaren’s double disqualification, Ferrari’s position in the Constructors’ Championship has become more precarious. The team now sits 53 points behind Mercedes and just 13 points ahead of Red Bull. Qatar offers Ferrari two key opportunities to narrow this gap: the Saturday Sprint race and Sunday’s Grand Prix.

The crucial role of strategy

Pirelli has set a maximum number of laps per tire set for the Qatar GP, meaning teams will need to adapt their strategies compared to last year. On the eve of the Grand Prix, Fred Vasseur commented on Ferrari’s preparation for this double-header weekend: After a challenging weekend in Las Vegas, we arrive in Qatar fully focused and eager to get back on track immediately.

Fred Vasseur also pointed out several challenges the team will face: Lusail is a very different circuit, with high-speed corners that test both the car and the driver, while Pirelli’s new lap limits add an extra strategic element. We are focused on ourselves and on seizing every opportunity that the final Sprint weekend of the season offers.

Despite coming off a difficult Las Vegas weekend, Fred Vasseur emphasized that the team’s motivation remains at its peak: Motivation is at the highest level, and we are determined to finish the season in the best possible way.

With only two race weekends left after Qatar, every point matters for Ferrari in both the drivers’ and constructors’ standings. All eyes will be on Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton as they look to deliver the redemption performance the Tifosi are craving under the Losail floodlights.