Ferrari decided to adjust the setup ahead of the Shanghai race. Team principal Frederic Vasseur did not comment on it, believing it was the right move to avoid controversy. Such a decision is not made lightly, of course, as it has clear repercussions on qualifying. This is also why the two SF-25 cars were slower than on Friday, having to settle for a third row.
The new track surface at the 5.451-kilometre Shanghai International Circuit provided a significantly higher level of grip. The drivers are enthusiastic about it on a fast lap, as there is more room to push harder. Unfortunately, there is a downside: the ease with which graining develops and the high degradation of the tires. Therefore, the Italian side’s technicians and engineers decided not to take risks, keeping in mind that points are awarded on Sunday.
The reasons for this choice are clear: avoid excessive tire wear and be able to show the best pace during the Grand Prix. Charles Leclerc mentioned this yesterday, explaining how difficult it was to race in traffic, with the turbulence from other cars reducing downforce. This is why he said that today he was not so sure he would be able to match the pace Lewis Hamilton showed in the victorious Saturday Sprint Race.
The British driver completed 100 kilometers in “free air,” as it’s called, without the aerodynamic disturbance that, besides affecting vertical downforce, significantly impacts tire performance. It is always the same dilemma: start at the front and manage tires with a less optimal setup, or start at the back, better prepared for the tires? In the end, which is the correct move?
Unfortunately, there is no standard answer to the previous question, as the variables in this “game of parts” are many. It depends on the context, we can only say. This is why we could only hope Ferrari had made the right calculations, confident that the strategy concerning the setup adjustment was the least risky move. In hindsight, we can add one more thing: there was no race pace to fight at the front, regardless.
The Maranello team split their strategy in today’s race: Lewis Hamilton on two stops, Charles Leclerc only one. A move that, in fact, favored the Monegasque in the final result. Despite the front wing damage from a collision with his Maranello teammate, which cost him several points of downforce, around thirty, the Monegasque driver crossed the finish line ahead of the seven-time Formula 1 World Champion.
The SF-25 is a good car, but at this moment it is the third force in the championship. It should be emphasized that it is third because Red Bull is ahead only due to Max Verstappen‘s immense talent, not because the RB21 is better than the Ferrari SF-25. They are roughly equal right now. One might think that the adjustment to the ride height slowed down the Ferrari. However, in general, all teams slightly raise the car. Well, probably that slight change on the Ferrari affects it more than the other top cars.
The working window of the Maranello car is rather narrow, at least at this stage of the 2025 Formula 1 racing season. It will undoubtedly widen, as the engineers are working on it, and with time and updates, everything can certainly change. There is a lot of work to be done, though, and Lewis Hamilton’s final team radio, communicating with his race engineer Riccardo Adami, perfectly captures the current competitive context.
The British driver notes how the result was not as expected regarding the moves made yesterday. The same when he speaks of the push still needed to give the Italian car a superior pace, with a high fuel load onboard. McLaren is ahead, but so is Mercedes. A little too much, if the goal is what has been loudly declared: to become world champions.
There is time to fix things because the Formula 1 season has just started. Undoubtedly, the learning curve of the Maranello team regarding the car will help a lot. However, precise corrections are urgently needed and should be backed by performance on the track because this Ferrari SF-25 is not living up to expectations and especially the goals set for the 2025 Formula 1 championship. One week of rest, then Japan, let’s see what happens at the Suzuka circuit.
— see video above —
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