Maximizing SF-25 potential: Ferrari’s plan for the F1 Mexican GP. Ferrari prioritizes qualifying at the 2025 Mexican Grand Prix.

GP Mexico: Ferrari knows its limits in F1. The SF-25 is not on par with Red Bull and McLaren, but it can fight if it finds the car’s subtle operating point. This balance is often fragile but highly effective when achieved. For this reason, the Mexican Grand Prix weekend will focus on prioritizing Saturday, considering that starting as far forward as possible is the only way for Ferrari to achieve acceptable results.

Hamilton wants to optimize the package
Lewis Hamilton is making progress, following a trajectory that has shown consistency in recent races. This improvement was much needed, as inconsistent and underwhelming results had cast doubts on his capabilities. Many thought he was no longer up to the task. Yet, this is not the case. He is on the right path—a kind of preparation for the next world championship, where the goal will be to remain among the leaders.

However, the learning curve is not complete. One last step is still necessary to catch up to his more experienced teammate in terms of knowledge with Ferrari. The Englishman expressed his gratitude to the team for the growing support over the past month, a backing strongly encouraged by Frederic Vasseur, who admitted he had underestimated his relationship with the Stevenage-born talent.

In Mexico, Hamilton is ready to give everything. He will only be able to start from FP2, however, as Antonio Fuoco will officially make his Formula 1 debut with the SF-25—a deserved reward for the Calabrian driver. For this reason, Lewis prefers not to make predictions until he gets behind the wheel. One thing is certain: there is a clear intent to optimize the package and perform at the highest level, aiming for a positive result and continuing his growth within the team.

For him, a podium—or at least a notable result—would be highly significant. Not merely for the result itself, but to reaffirm that his driving skills remain intact and that he has fully adapted to the project he chose to join, independent of the competitiveness of the car available. We are confident this is his goal for Mexico and for the remaining 2025 championship events.

Leclerc: focusing on performance
Charles Leclerc shared more detailed insights than his teammate. He first reflected on the podium he secured last weekend in Texas. This result, despite being within an otherwise disappointing season, boosted the morale of the entire team. This does not mean that such results will become the minimum target moving forward, as the SF-25 is not consistently capable of reaching this level.

It is clear, however, that the Prancing Horse must focus on extracting maximum performance from the car to stay competitive, bearing in mind that the two teams contesting the drivers’ championship—McLaren and Max Verstappen’s Red Bull—are significantly better prepared, both technically and in terms of weekend execution.

Mexico presents a track completely different from the United States. Charles intends to make full use of the first two hours of free practice because understanding the car’s behavior on track will be crucial to finding the correct balance. An interesting point in his words aligns with a precise strategy: the focus is on qualifying, where the result matters even more than it might appear for Sunday’s race.

GP Mexico: the importance of qualifying for Ferrari
It was clear in Texas how difficult overtaking was, even though there were several opportunities to do so. Starting at the front provides a much greater advantage than in the recent past. Ferrari understands the difference this can make, especially for the SF-25, which, compared to McLaren and Red Bull, lacks the raw pace to climb to the front solely based on the car’s intrinsic value.

For this reason, the Maranello team’s approach is reportedly aimed at prioritizing this crucial aspect. The team led by Frederic Vasseur will strive to execute this strategy as effectively as possible, without compromising the car’s performance over the full 300-kilometer distance—a factor essential for achieving the intended goal. Considering that tire degradation is expected to be low, the scenario is favorable for this type of approach.

This strategy will naturally also be implemented by other teams, such as Red Bull, who have built multiple victories this season using a similar approach. For the historic Maranello team, the Mexican challenge will be particularly demanding. However, according to our sources, Ferrari has full confidence in being able to assemble a competitive weekend and achieve a result befitting the team’s ambitions.