“We are only missing one tenth to catch McLaren” Vasseur identifies Ferrari’s limit
Ferrari left Monza disappointed, as Red Bull surprised everyone and the SF-25 once again revealed all its weaknesses. Yet team principal Fred Vasseur remains convinced that Ferrari is almost at McLaren’s level.
The Italian Grand Prix was expected to be one of the best opportunities for Fred Vasseur’s Ferrari to finally secure a long-awaited victory against McLaren. Instead, at Monza, it was Red Bull that overturned expectations in a weekend that again exposed the flaws of the SF-25. On the track that represents the temple of aerodynamic efficiency, the Ferrari car proved fragile in exactly that technical area which makes the difference in high-speed corners.
Hopes of a podium had already faded on Saturday, with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton unable to go beyond the second row. The race on Sunday offered no surprises: straightforward and without major variables, it highlighted the direct comparison with McLaren and Red Bull. The SF-25 showed decent potential on the straights – up to 7 km/h faster than the MCL39 – but in the quick corners such as Ascari and Parabolica, the lack of downforce resulted in losses of 10–11 km/h compared to its rivals.
Vasseur’s comment: “Ferrari is missing the final tenth”
After the race, Fred Vasseur summed up the situation by saying Ferrari was missing just “one tenth” in the direct fight with McLaren. It was an analysis valid for single-lap pace, but in race trim the picture looked more complicated: without the extra grip provided by fresh tyres, the aerodynamic shortcomings of the Ferrari became clear, relegating the SF-25 to a supporting role.
One positive aspect came from tyre management. The lower cornering speeds reduced stress on the tyres, allowing for steady performance, particularly in the closing stages. However, this was not enough to close the gap. Max Verstappen even admitted he suffered a bit of degradation after more than 30 laps of pushing, but the advantage he had built earlier allowed him to stay in control.
The technical decision to run with a low-downforce setup was an understandable all-in gamble, partly followed by Red Bull as well. However, as reported by Motorsport, it remains evident that Ferrari’s real weakness lies in the aerodynamics generated by the floor and bodywork. In this area, the RB21 continues to dominate high-speed corners, leaving the SF-25 struggling to keep up, as already seen in several other races this season.
Monza was supposed to be the stage of redemption, but instead it turned into a clear reflection of the design limitations of Ferrari’s 2025 car. The superiority of McLaren and Red Bull in fast corners once again left the Prancing Horse chasing from behind, despite the passionate support of the home crowd.
