“Last year in Shanghai, we struggled.” These were Charles Leclerc’s words when discussing what to expect from the Ferrari SF-25 at the Chinese GP, following the difficulties the team encountered in the Australian Grand Prix at the 5.278-kilometre Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit in Melbourne.
The Shanghai circuit is somewhat atypical, and the Sprint format could be a double-edged sword. Having only one hour of free practice can be both an advantage and a disadvantage for teams, adding an element of unpredictability to the weekend. In this scenario, McLaren appears to be the favorite, having made minimal changes compared to 2024 and demonstrating in Australia that it can quickly find performance.
Ferrari’s Focus Is Not on Shanghai
The situation is different for Ferrari. The team has yet to fully understand the new SF-25, particularly in terms of its operating window. For this reason, Loic Serra will not travel to Shanghai for the second race of the season.
This decision was made in advance as part of a work plan aimed at being fully prepared for Suzuka. The Japanese circuit is perhaps the first “true” track on the calendar, and it will be crucial for Ferrari to be competitive in twenty days. The Scuderia’s technical director will work hard in the coming days at Maranello to try to resolve the issues seen on the SF-25 in Melbourne.
Source: f1ingenerale
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