Ferrari’s last-minute power unit switch in Saudi Arabia: when it was initially scheduled. Ferrari made a last-minute decision to replace the power units on both cars in Jeddah.

For Ferrari, the Saudi Arabian GP weekend is delicate, in a crucial part of the season when the team is trying to recover from the poor start to the championship that contradicted winter predictions and revealed the weaknesses of the SF-25. A response that, despite a not-so-exciting result, partially came in Bahrain. The doubts remain, true, but from the three days in Sakhir, Ferrari might have understood how, despite not being on the same level as their rivals, the SF-25 is not entirely “wrong.” This was thanks to a second race stint that was on par with or better than the competitors. An isolated flash of hope that could have provided the engineers with the key to making the car work and, perhaps, begin a recovery.

Confirmation needed

A positive sign for the Scuderia, which justified the understanding of the package and confirmed the value of the developments introduced that, although not resolving all design flaws, ensured progress. This progress was also certified by a good performance from Lewis Hamilton, who was able to push and attack like never before. However, this will need to be confirmed by team principal Frédéric Vasseur‘s men during the delicate Jeddah weekend. An event that, at least judging by the qualifying performance yesterday, did not provide the confirmation they were looking for (with Charles Leclerc only in fourth and Lewis Hamilton lost in seventh). However, it could hopefully turn out better in the race, at least based on the long runs seen on Friday. This hope may, perhaps, also stem from Ferrari’s decision to almost entirely replace the power units of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton’s SF-25s, as confirmed before qualifying by the document released by the race stewards and FIA technical delegate, Jo Bauer. The document revealed that Ferrari replaced the internal combustion engine, turbo, MGU-H, MGU-K, and the exhausts on both cars after FP2 on the Saudi track.

Last-minute change of plan

A change (perhaps sensible, given that around 80% of the lap in Jeddah is at full throttle and a new engine could help significantly) that means the two Ferrari drivers will mark the second 2025 unit: the reason there will be no penalty for Chares Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. According to sources close to the Scuderia, as reported by the Italian website formula1.it this decision was made at the last minute on Thursday evening (on the instruction of the power unit manager), changing the original plan which had called for the replacement during the next race weekend in Miami. This decision was likely prompted by some parameters that were not entirely convincing after arriving at the Red Sea, which led them to opt for the precautionary route. In any case, this move will compromise the planned power unit rotation for this season, as the units removed will still have opportunities to be used during certain FP1 sessions and less demanding events throughout the year.