Hamilton sixth and Leclerc seventh: Ferrari’s ongoing struggles exposed in Singapore
The 2025 Singapore Grand Prix qualifying session once again highlighted Ferrari’s difficulties, even on a circuit that was expected to suit the SF-25. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc finished sixth and seventh, confirming the team as the fourth force on the grid. The limitations of the car remain evident, and with a gap of half a second to Mercedes, Ferrari faces a steep challenge for the race ahead—one that will demand bold and creative strategy choices.
The sixth and seventh places of Hamilton and Leclerc solidified Ferrari’s position behind McLaren, Red Bull, and now Mercedes. The list of teams out of reach continues to grow. While McLaren has been the benchmark all season, Red Bull has found renewed strength in recent rounds, and in Marina Bay, Mercedes also stepped forward. The gap between Hamilton and pole-sitter George Russell was 0.5 seconds, a significant deficit considering that Hamilton was only 0.180 seconds ahead of Oliver Bearman’s Haas at the end of Q3.
Ferrari’s expected comeback never came
After Monza, Ferrari engineers had pointed to Baku and Marina Bay as tracks that should theoretically complement the characteristics of the SF-25. No one in Maranello expected outright domination, but it was reasonable to anticipate that both Charles Leclerc and Hamilton could at least contend for a podium place. The reality, however, tells a very different story. There have indeed been “resurrections” — but they belong to Red Bull and, in Singapore’s case, to Mercedes.
Hamilton’s frustration and Ferrari’s underlying limits
Numbers only tell part of the story. Lewis Hamilton’s slow, disappointed walk after stepping out of his car said more than his words afterward. The seven-time world champion pointed out procedural issues within the team, such as the car’s release order from the pit lane during key moments of qualifying.
It is possible that Hamilton’s observations are valid, but it’s difficult to believe that Ferrari’s biggest weakness lies solely in pit-lane organization. His frustration is understandable. Since the summer break, his performances have improved significantly, and he has finally found the connection with the car that he had been searching for all season. Yet, the SF-25 continues to limit what he can achieve.
Leclerc shares Hamilton’s disappointment
“Baku and Singapore are two of my favorite circuits,” said Charles Leclerc. “I believe my performances this season have been strong at both, but it’s not a good feeling when you finish a lap that you think is great, only to find yourself sixth or seventh.”
It’s a feeling Charles Leclerc now shares with Lewis Hamilton. After initially struggling to adapt to the team, the Briton now finds himself in a familiar Ferrari scenario — doing everything right yet being unable to deliver the result the effort deserves. The frustration is heightened by the clear progress of their rivals. Red Bull has rebounded strongly, and Mercedes, like in Baku but even more convincingly here, has proven to be a real contender.
Mercedes and Red Bull rise, Ferrari stands still
The 2025 season hasn’t been smooth for George Russell either. The British driver has endured several difficult weekends with a tricky, unpredictable Mercedes that was far from McLaren’s level. Yet, the team has managed to produce at least a few memorable results, giving meaning to their efforts and progress. That sense of direction is exactly what Ferrari seems to lack right now. The work continues in Maranello, but the feeling remains that the path taken is never quite the right one.
Vasseur admits Ferrari needs a bold approach
“Tomorrow the race could tell a different story,” said Frédéric Vasseur, “although overtaking won’t be easy on this track, so we’ll consider an aggressive approach in terms of strategy.” His words once again highlight the team’s narrow margin for maneuver — a “short blanket” situation where improving one area inevitably weakens another.
Leclerc’s desperate setup changes highlight Ferrari’s limits
In Q3, Charles Leclerc made a last-ditch effort to improve the car’s balance by adjusting the front wing load to reduce understeer. It was a gamble — one of many attempts to make the SF-25 do what it simply cannot. Between now and the end of the season, Ferrari may find the occasional lucky setup that works, but it will not change the bigger picture. The script of the 2025 season already feels written, and for Ferrari, it is not a happy one.
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