Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc disagree: differing reactions to Ferrari’s SF-25 updates – Bahrain GP. Hamilton and Leclerc in Disagreement: Differing Feedback from Ferrari's Box – Bahrain GP.

The Bahrain Grand Prix marked the debut of Ferrari’s first update package for the SF-25, but the feedback from Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton was far from aligned. The British driver expressed satisfaction with the progress, while the Monegasque driver admitted that despite the changes, the gap to McLaren remains too large.

The new package includes a redesigned floor, new floor edge geometries, and an updated diffuser. These components were introduced to boost Ferrari’s ambitions in a season that began with the team in fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship, 76 points behind McLaren.

Drivers’ Reactions to Ferrari SF-25’s Update Package
Despite finishing eighth in FP2, Hamilton was optimistic: “The updates are working, it’s clear. It’s nice to see we’re making progress, now it’s just about getting more out of what we have.” The seven-time Formula 1 world champion emphasized the importance of continuing to work and push to make the most of the new package: “I hope we can make the right adjustments before qualifying.”

Charles Leclerc’s judgment was much more cautious. Fourth in the second free practice but still far from the top, he said: “We’ve tried to push in one direction to improve the feeling, but the car’s potential has remained the same. The gap to McLaren is still huge.” The Monegasque driver did, however, acknowledge that the changes had lived up to the engineers’ promises: “It’s positive, but unfortunately it’s not enough to close the gap.”

The high temperatures during free practice, compared to pre-season testing, further complicated the work: “You expect the grip from testing, and then the car behaves differently. A lot of overnight work will be needed to find the right setup.” – he pointed out.

Charles Leclerc clarified that, at this moment, the goal should be to maximize what the SF-25 can offer: “If that means finishing third, fourth, or fifth, we’ll have to accept it. But the goal remains to become the car to beat again.”