While currently holding second place in the 2025 Formula 1 constructors’ championship ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix, Ferrari’s performance has lagged behind their main competitors, with McLaren narrowly edging them out for the title in the previous season. The Woking-based team has consistently shown stronger pace and consistency, leaving Ferrari struggling to match their rivals’ standards.
The addition of Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari has not delivered the immediate results many anticipated. The seven-time world champion is experiencing the longest podium-less streak of his Formula 1 career, while his Monegasque teammate, Charles Leclerc, has demonstrated a greater ability to adapt his driving style to extract maximum performance from the SF-25. Pre-season expectations promised Hamilton a competitive car, but he now finds himself 42 points behind the Monegasque in the drivers’ standings, illustrating the challenges the team has faced in delivering on that promise.
Fred Vasseur, Ferrari’s team principal, discussed the areas where McLaren has excelled during the 2025 season, particularly pointing to their MCL39’s superior performance in wet-weather conditions. Speaking to The Race, he explained that McLaren’s advantage stems largely from exceptional tyre management, which has proven difficult for Ferrari to replicate. Fred Vasseur noted that in damp or rainy conditions, McLaren’s car performs “magically,” highlighting a key differentiator in race situations where control and grip are critical.
The Frenchman acknowledged that Ferrari has faced its own setbacks, including a disqualification early in the season, which forced the team to take a cautious approach and ultimately caused them to lose some ground. He emphasized the extreme sensitivity of ride height in modern F1 cars, explaining that even minor deviations can result in significant performance losses, with just a millimetre potentially representing an entire position on the grid. This sensitivity has meant that Ferrari must constantly balance performance with safety, a challenge that has compounded their difficulties in matching McLaren’s pace.
The team principal also revealed the cautious approach Ferrari has taken toward upgrades, citing the rear suspension modification introduced at the Belgian Grand Prix in July. This update came after Ferrari leadership expressed concerns about the team’s recent results, but it illustrates the careful strategy required when modifying the car mid-season.
A particular focus for Ferrari engineers has been improving Lewis Hamilton’s compatibility with the SF-25. Technical staff have suggested that the British driver may need to adjust his driving style to suit the car, a point also highlighted by former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya. Montoya argued that, as a seven-time world champion, Hamilton’s proven driving style should be accommodated rather than forced to change, as it has consistently delivered success throughout his career.
Despite these efforts, the rear suspension upgrade at the Belgian Grand Prix did not immediately deliver the expected performance boost for Hamilton. Engineers had to further adjust the dampers on his car to help him achieve optimal balance and confidence behind the wheel.
With only ten races remaining in the 2025 season following the summer break, Ferrari faces mounting pressure to help Hamilton become fully comfortable in the car. The clock is ticking as the 2026 regulations loom, promising a complete overhaul of Formula 1 car specifications. For Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari, the challenge will be to extract as much performance as possible in the remaining races before the new era reshapes the competitive landscape.
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