Jean Alesi is confident: “Ferrari can quickly close the gap to McLaren”. The weekend in Bahrain gives confidence to Jean Alesi.

It hasn’t been an easy start to the 2025 Formula 1 season for the Prancing Horse. Having arrived at the starting line of the championship as a title contender, Frederic Vasseur’s Ferrari now has to deal with unexpected difficulties and underwhelming performances. However, nothing is lost yet: “the championship is very long,” observes the great former driver Jean Alesi, who is convinced Ferrari can soon turn things around and close the gap to McLaren.

It’s not just a fan’s hope. Or rather, not only that. The French former driver is keen to point this out in his column for the Italian daily newspaper Corriere della Sera. “I’m going against the tide, not simply as a Ferrari fan,” explains the ’64-born Avignon native. “I think the performance differences seen on track Sunday in Bahrain show gaps that are by no means unbridgeable for those chasing McLaren, which is currently ahead thanks to the extraordinary work of its technicians.”

Jean Alesi’s confidence: “Ferrari, you can close the gap with McLaren”
Jean Alesi, a historic icon of the Prancing Horse, preaches calm. “We need to stay calm because the picture is not definitive. The championship is long and I’m convinced it’s possible to find those tenths that separate the Red car from the front runners.”

The first four rounds of the championship have shown a Ferrari still searching for its identity, with Charles Leclerc never fully satisfied and Hamilton busy trying to understand a complicated SF-25. However, the season has only just begun, and the car has changed significantly compared to last year. To extract the real potential of the car—which the drivers have never doubted—time and work are required.

“At the moment the margins seem chronic and wide,” admits Jean Alesi, “but they can shrink dramatically.” The former driver, who spent five seasons at Maranello from ’91 to ’95, has faith in the men in red. “We’re dealing with different behaviour on each track. Ferrari’s progress in Bahrain seemed concrete to me, even if not yet decisive for true satisfaction.” – he pointed out.

Step by step, the Prancing Horse can once again bring smiles to Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, and the vast crowd of fans behind them. Jean Alesi is convinced of this, but he’s aware that it will take time—perhaps more than expected at the start of 2025. However, the long 24-race championship can allow for comebacks and turnarounds, just like in 2024. Already in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Fred Vasseur’s team is called upon to confirm the progress shown in Sakhir. Will Ferrari manage to hold onto its status as the second force on the fast street circuit?