Technical problems from 2024 Ferrari to avoid in Qatar
The main issue for the Maranello team is clear: what can we realistically expect from the SF-25 at Losail? Last year, Charles Leclerc reached the podium thanks to good race pace, but several race dynamics influenced the final result.
From a handling perspective, the SF-24 struggled significantly with front-end grip on this type of circuit. Increasing rear downforce caused the car’s balance to shift rearward, creating a notable lack of rotation on corner entry—a chronic and highly pronounced characteristic of the current car. This imbalance often translated into oversteer on corner exit. Drivers complained extensively on Friday, and the team was not technically equipped to fully resolve these issues before qualifying. Fortunately, race pace was much better, and the Italian squad must take these lessons to anticipate and mitigate limitations for 2025.
Managing long, high-speed corners: a key Ferrari challenge
Execution will be critical this weekend. The team must combine all its work without making mistakes. Preparation in the factory is equally decisive, as only one practice session will be available. The SF-25 generates good downforce, but the risk on this track is excessive understeer due to the car’s rearward balance.
The challenge at the Qatar GP stems from the nature of the corners, which are long and high-speed. This type of track section does not suit the Maranello-based car, which prefers shorter corners to avoid overloading the front end—likely to struggle at Losail. Compared to last season, however, Ferrari has made progress, giving the SF-25 more potential in this regard, although McLaren and a Max Verstappen-driven Red Bull remain strong in the tighter sections. While there are different ways to construct a competitive lap, it will be up to the team to optimize the setup efficiently.
Tire activation in qualifying remains a key concern
Tires will present multiple challenges, particularly for qualifying. The Maranello team has repeatedly struggled with tire warm-up and activation, and multiple balances must be managed carefully. The high asphalt grip increases thermal stress within the tires. Achieving the correct balance is essential: too much understeer will overheat the front tires, potentially reducing pace significantly. In the race, this effect is less pronounced, but in qualifying, tire management will be critical.
The human side: aligning the team
Finally, some words about the team itself. Fred Vasseur has taken a step back to clarify the situation, explicitly removing blame from Hamilton and Leclerc, the only non-issues of the team, and attributing responsibility to a flawed technical project. This clarification is expected to boost confidence within the team, helping everyone align their work on track and, this time, avoid errors.
Lusail rarely flatters Ferrari’s current package, but with the Constructors’ fight still tight, every point matters. Expect a weekend of careful compromise, clever strategy, and crossed fingers – and a lot of hard work to avoid a repeat of last year’s Friday misery.
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