Ferrari Struggling in Early 2025 F1 Season as Tyre Issues Stall Progress
Ferrari’s start to the 2025 Formula 1 season has fallen far short of expectations, with the team enduring a challenging run across the opening six races. Despite the high hopes surrounding their campaign—fueled by the much-anticipated arrival of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton and a strong showing in the previous year’s Constructors’ Championship—the Scuderia has been unable to match the winter development gains of key rivals McLaren and Red Bull.
In the latest round at the Miami Grand Prix, Hamilton once again finished behind teammate Charles Leclerc, despite internal disagreements over the team’s race strategy. The Maranello-based squad has so far managed to secure just one podium finish in 2025, a stark contrast to the six they achieved over the same period last season—including a memorable victory for Carlos Sainz in Australia.
French F1 journalist Frédéric Ferret, speaking on the F1 Nation podcast, offered insight into Ferrari’s current development stance. He suggested that the team is holding off on introducing major updates to the SF-25 until they resolve fundamental issues—particularly with tyre performance. According to Ferret, Ferrari’s reluctance to implement upgrades stems from past missteps, notably a 2024 update in Barcelona that left them directionless for much of the summer.
Ferrari Hold Off on Car Upgrades Amid Ongoing Tyre Struggles
A critical weakness for Ferrari this season has been their inability to manage tyre degradation effectively during races. Compared to their rivals, the team is struggling to extract consistent performance over long stints, limiting their competitiveness on Sundays.
In Miami, Lewis Hamilton voiced his dissatisfaction over tyre wear after being placed on an alternate strategy intended to help him break into the top ten and secure valuable championship points. However, the issues persisted, casting doubt over the effectiveness of Ferrari’s tyre management systems.
Ferret emphasized that Ferrari’s leadership remains cautious about introducing new parts, preferring instead to first resolve the persistent tyre problems. He noted that while the SF-25 is fundamentally a strong car—highlighted by Charles Leclerc topping the timesheets at one stage in Jeddah—its potential is being undermined by the team’s inability to handle tyre temperatures and degradation.
Since debuting a new floor at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, Ferrari has refrained from making any major aerodynamic or mechanical changes to the car. No updates were introduced at the Miami GP, further signaling the team’s focus on solving underlying performance issues before proceeding with further development.
Team Dynamics Tested as Hamilton Frustrations Surface in Miami
Tensions within the team came to light during the Miami Grand Prix, as Lewis Hamilton grew increasingly frustrated with Ferrari’s strategic decisions. He had been placed on an alternate tyre strategy, finishing the race on the medium compound, while Charles Leclerc ran the slower hard tyres. The initial decision not to switch the drivers cost Hamilton valuable time and hindered his ability to mount a challenge for sixth place against Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
Eventually, team orders allowed Hamilton to pass Leclerc, but after closing the gap to just 2.5 seconds, Ferrari reversed the positions once again—leading to further frustration. Post-race, team principal Frédéric Vasseur took steps to manage the situation, engaging in a paddock debrief with Hamilton to address concerns and clarify the reasoning behind the decisions made during the race.
As Ferrari continues to grapple with tyre-related challenges and internal strategy conflicts, the pressure is mounting to deliver results that reflect the team’s ambitions and high-profile driver lineup. With McLaren and Red Bull already surging ahead, the Scuderia must resolve their technical limitations swiftly if they hope to reignite their 2025 Formula 1 campaign.
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