F1 | Why the Ferrari SF-25 struggles when McLaren falters
The Ferrari season has so far been a rollercoaster of expectations, starting at a high point and gradually declining race after race, reaching levels that, at the end of last year, seemed almost unimaginable. After narrowly missing out on the 2024 Constructors’ Championship, Ferrari entered 2025 determined to claim at least one World Championship, a title that has eluded Maranello since 2007 and 2008 respectively.
From the very first tests, the SF-25 showed that it might not be the perfect weapon to fulfill the tasks entrusted to it by the Scuderia. While it excelled in low-downforce setups, it often risked irregular performance in other configurations, gradually disappointing expectations. Inevitably, all hopes for a comeback were pinned on the new suspension system introduced in the summer. Ferrari managed to improve consistency and performance, but it still wasn’t fast enough to challenge McLaren credibly.
With the 2025 titles already out of reach, Ferrari’s main objective has shifted to winning at least one race during the season. Tracks like Monza and Baku were seen as potential opportunities, yet the SF-25s quickly fell short, putting the team’s chance of a season victory in serious jeopardy. This prompted Charles Leclerc to a moment of candid reflection. He admitted that winning a race this year would be extremely difficult, though he would be delighted if a favorable event allowed them to succeed.
Looking ahead, Singapore—just two weeks away—remains a track that has often favored Ferrari, even in challenging seasons. For example, in 2023, Carlos Sainz secured the only non-Red Bull victory there. Yet Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur offered his own interpretation of the SF-25’s struggles throughout the season. If his analysis proves accurate, Charles Leclerc’s comments could almost be seen as a verdict.
Frédéric Vasseur explained that Ferrari’s difficulties are hard to analyze precisely. The team performed exceptionally well when McLaren was strong, such as in Australia and other events. However, when McLaren wasn’t competing for victories, Ferrari also struggled. In essence, McLaren and Ferrari seem to thrive on similar types of circuits, while Red Bull and Mercedes excel on tracks where the SF-25 and MCL39 face difficulties.
“I think it’s because our car shares characteristics with the McLaren, whereas Mercedes and Red Bull have machines that are similar to each other,” Frédéric Vasseur said. “So when McLaren isn’t performing, neither are we. And when they win, we are right behind them. – the French manager concluded following the Baku Grand Prix weekend.”
With victories becoming increasingly difficult this season, partly due to limited upgrades, Ferrari must now focus on maximizing the resources at their disposal and aim to reclaim at least second place in the Constructors’ Championship, which they lost last weekend due to Mercedes finishing second and fourth at Baku.
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