Ferrari closed qualifying at the 2025 Mexican Grand Prix with their best result of the season: P2 for Charles Leclerc and P3 for Lewis Hamilton. The Maranello team displayed solid pace and great balance, but the race presents several challenges. Who will lead into Turn 1?
A strong qualifying for Ferrari at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez
At the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Ferrari achieved its best qualifying performance of the 2025 season. Charles Leclerc briefly touched pole position before settling into P2, with Lewis Hamilton immediately behind him. The Maranello team had shown consistency since Friday, and their weekend has been on an upward trajectory. After the second practice session, Hamilton acknowledged the need to improve single-lap pace, and the qualifying result reflects the team’s work to ensure both drivers could achieve the target.
Yesterday’s outcome must be seen as a golden opportunity not to waste. A podium finish is within reach, and the goal is not only to replicate their 2024 performance but also to close the season with at least one victory.
Race uncertainties that could define Ferrari’s performance
The race brings several unknowns. The first and most critical is the start, which could unfold in multiple ways. There is a long straight leading to Turn 1, and if Lando Norris unleashes the full potential of the McLaren MCL39, the advantage may be decisive.
However, the slipstream could make a difference. Hamilton, starting P3, could tuck in behind the McLaren and attempt an overtake, while Leclerc might try the same tactic, letting Lando pass and then chasing immediately. Another scenario for the Monegasque would be to run alongside, entering Turn 1 together and seeing who reacts first. Caution is essential to avoid collisions, something not unknown at this first Mexican corner.
During the post-qualifying press conference, Lewis Hamilton set his objective, stating he wants to be aggressive at the start and noting a key detail: unlike Lando, he has nothing to lose. For this reason, the Ferrari drivers have a duty to push, respecting the effort of the Maranello team. Teamwork is crucial, especially on a track that can be unforgiving.
Thermal management and high altitude challenges
As Fred Vasseur highlighted, the track’s high altitude makes cooling a central concern. Brakes and power units will experience significant stress, and managing temperatures will be a constant challenge. Lewis Hamilton echoed this, explaining that most drivers are likely facing the same issue, and warned that the race will not necessarily be easy, particularly with top competitors behind them.
Ferrari’s golden opportunity: capitalizing on Red Bull and McLaren difficulties
Behind Ferrari, Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri have encountered issues with their cars. Both struggled with race pace, and their prospects remain uncertain if problems persist. Red Bull tested several solutions, according to Max Verstappen, but none yielded results. The Dutchman has yet to find positives, though he could recover in race trim. McLaren, on the other hand, shows two very different performances: Norris delivered an impressive lap in FP3 and qualifying, while Oscar Piastri struggles to find the right direction, similar to Texas. Championship considerations aside, he must find pace to compete.
Ferrari’s strategy at the start
Returning to Ferrari and considering the start, even if both drivers overtake #4 Norris, their path may not be straightforward. Psychological tactics come into play: Charles has managed to hold Lando behind for long stretches in slow corners, as seen in Texas. Mexico City’s circuit, with its longer straights and fewer medium-speed corners than Texas, favors Ferrari. Lando Norris’s McLaren appears comfortable on both Soft and Medium tyres.
Key to the start will be the slipstream. Potential duels could ignite the race, with Pirelli’s C2, C4, and C5 compounds likely in use, considering track temperatures reached 50°C in qualifying. Observing the top three’s tyre choices will be interesting: last week, Ferrari differentiated strategies, with Hamilton on the yellow Medium like Norris, and Leclerc on the red Soft. Charles’s decision to start on Soft paid off at the start but cost him P2 to McLaren by the end.
Track position at the start remains crucial. The impression is that all three may choose the C5 Soft for a more aggressive approach. Ferrari’s objective is clear: convert their solid qualifying performance into tangible results. The key will be the start and thermal management, but the team finally has the opportunity to prove that their positive trend is no accident.
