Ferrari’s disappointing start to the 2025 Formula 1 campaign has raised concerns about their championship hopes. After coming so close to securing the title last season, they now find themselves struggling to keep pace with the top teams, with many seeing them as the fourth-fastest team on the grid. Heading into the Bahrain Grand Prix, the Italian side is already 76 points behind McLaren, the current leaders. Mercedes is ahead by 40 points, and even Red Bull, despite having only Max Verstappen scoring, is 24 points ahead. The disqualification in China has certainly complicated the situation, but even without that setback, Ferrari would still be trailing in fourth place, 18 points adrift. These expulsions highlight a key issue for the team – they’ve been pushing the limits with fuel levels and ride heights in an effort to find performance, but it’s not paying off.
Lewis Hamilton’s Sprint win in Shanghai remains a rare bright spot for Ferrari this season, offering a glimpse of the potential they have. However, a podium drought spanning three races is their longest since the 2022 Miami to Canada stretch, further underscoring the team’s struggles.
Ferrari’s Handling Woes May Lead to Shift in Focus to 2026 F1 Car Development
As the 2025 season progresses, Ferrari faces a critical decision: when to start shifting focus toward the 2026 season. This annual dilemma is especially challenging this year, as Formula 1 is undergoing one of the most significant regulatory changes in recent memory. While engine development has already been underway for some time, teams could only begin working on their new chassis in January.
Looking back to 2014, a similar regulatory overhaul gave Mercedes a significant advantage, one they would maintain until Max Verstappen‘s first title in 2021. Ferrari may now face a similar decision, given the circumstances. Though it may seem premature for any front-running team to give up on the 2025 season so early, Ferrari might have no choice if they continue to struggle in the coming races. If it becomes clear that neither Lewis Hamilton nor Charles Leclerc is in contention for the title, and McLaren’s lead in the constructors’ championship proves unassailable, Ferrari might be better served to shift their focus to the 2026 Formula 1 season.
According to reports from Maranello, a decision on whether to fully pivot to the 2026 project will be made in the coming weeks. With just two races remaining in April, Ferrari’s performance in those events will play a critical role in determining whether they continue to prioritize development of the SF-25 or start planning for next year’s car.
Former race engineer Luigi Mazzola has expressed doubts about Ferrari’s ability to find a quick fix to their ongoing issues. During a discussion on Sky Italy’s Race Anatomy show, Luigi Mazzola emphasized that, according to team principal Fred Vasseur, the car’s balance must be addressed before any further developments can be introduced. However, the former Ferrari engineer warned that fixing the balance is a challenging task, describing it as a difficult issue to resolve, likening it to a persistent “illness” that is hard to cure.
The high expectations surrounding Lewis Hamilton before his move to Ferrari have been significant, and statements like Mazzola’s are likely to temper the excitement among his supporters. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that the 2025 season is not the final measure of success for the seven-time world champion. Hamilton has a multi-year contract with Ferrari, which might even include an option for the 2027 season. While the current challenges are evident, Frederic Vasseur still has an opportunity to improve Hamilton’s chances of securing an eighth world title by making critical decisions. As the team prepares for the upcoming races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, the Ferrari team boss will be hoping that these events provide a much-needed shift in momentum and help change the outlook for both Hamilton and the team.
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