Max Verstappen will start from pole position. In the Formula 1 qualifying session at Silverstone, Ferrari failed to convert the promising performance shown during the free practice sessions. Both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were let down by an understeering front end that limited the overall performance of the Ferrari SF-25, preventing them from putting everything together on the final push. Additionally, sudden changes in track temperatures did not help the team. By combining the best sector times of both drivers, it becomes clear that their times would have been good enough for second and third place on the grid.
Leclerc Pays for Excessive Aggression on Turn-in with Insufficient Rotation
The difficulties of the reigning world champion in certain track sections are confirmed by the data and by Max Verstappen’s comments, who described the RB21’s front end as limiting. Verstappen was on average 5 km/h slower than Oscar Piastri in low-speed corners. The Australian took advantage of the excellent agility of the McLaren MCL39 on turn-in, allowing him to easily find the apex without understeering. Charles Leclerc chose a more aggressive approach on entry.
However, carrying more speed to the apex did not pay off, highlighting once again Ferrari’s persistent and limiting issue with insufficient rotation. In faster sections, the cornering speeds of the two Ferrari drivers were on par with those of the McLaren drivers, marking a significant step forward partly thanks to the new floor. This major aerodynamic component seems to have provided a higher level of vertical downforce compared to recent past versions.
The Scuderia Ferrari engineers successfully lowered the car further, managing the Italian car’s ride heights much better than in previous setups, gaining in terms of downforce. This new floor will be combined with an update to the rear suspension, expected to give the car an additional push. Nonetheless, the SF-25 continues to struggle to generate sufficient mechanical grip in slow corners.
Hamilton More Confident Than Leclerc in Fast Corners
Expanding the analysis to the entire cornering phase shows that the two Ferrari drivers’ performances are not aligned. Charles Leclerc managed the corner exit better by controlling the oversteer of his car throughout all analyzed sectors. Lewis Hamilton, instead, suffered from understeer in slow corners during the entire cornering phase. This negatively affected his acceleration after turn 3.
However, the seven-time world champion found better confidence in the fast Maggots-Becketts-Chapel complex, where he carried nearly 3 km/h more than his Ferrari teammate. This statistic highlights how this type of high-speed corner is very subjective for a driver, as skill and style play a crucial role in this section. Trajectory is fundamental, as is the use of downshifts without braking.
Norris Was the Best on Average in the Three Analyzed Turns, Exploiting the Most Balanced Car Among the Top Teams
The drivers of the reigning Formula 1 world champion team, Red Bull, opted for an aerodynamic setup designed to provide good balance through all types of corners. This slightly penalized them on the straights, but over a race distance of around 300 kilometers, it should benefit tire management.
Verstappen Gains an Average of 3 km/h Over Rivals on the Straights
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are the slowest on the straights. Both with DRS open and in the Hangar Straight where the DRS is not activated, their top speeds remain well below Max Verstappen’s. Ferrari, although running higher downforce wings compared to Red Bull, shows good aerodynamic efficiency, with both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc approaching Verstappen’s top speeds. Notably, Leclerc’s car (number 16) was consistently slower than Hamilton’s.
The reason could be linked to different hybrid system management or aerodynamic choices that allowed Leclerc to develop slightly more downforce. Charles may also have decided, in agreement with his engineers, to rely more on the hybrid system on corner exits to balance his more aggressive corner entry style.
Max Built His Pole Position on the Straights, with a Low Downforce but Extremely Efficient Car
It is interesting to note that Verstappen carried between 3 and 5 km/h more speed on average through the straights, consistently gaining speed from the beginning to the end of each straight. Ferrari did not achieve its goal of starting first to capitalize on the excellent race pace demonstrated in practice simulations.
The Ferrari drivers will be forced to run the first part of the race in dirty air, trying not to lose too much ground to the leading cars. Verstappen has become the favorite for today’s race, boasting an even stronger car with full fuel tanks. The world champion’s objective will be to hold off the two McLarens in the opening stint and try to open a gap before the first pit stop.
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