Why Ferrari’s 2025 set-up strategy is costing Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc crucial pace. Ferrari are struggling in the 2025 F1 season as set-up sacrifices and design flaws hurt the drivers.

Ferrari Facing Scrutiny Over 2025 Car Development as Set-Up Compromises Hurt Hamilton and Leclerc

As the 2025 Formula 1 season progresses, mounting pressure is beginning to build on Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur, who will likely face tough questions about the direction of the Scuderia’s car development strategy.

Following a strong conclusion to the 2024 campaign, where Ferrari finished just 14 points adrift of McLaren and celebrated a double podium in Abu Dhabi courtesy of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, expectations were high for the new season. But those expectations have quickly turned to concern.

Six race weekends into 2025, Ferrari is still waiting for Charles Leclerc and his new teammate Lewis Hamilton to share a podium. So far, only Charles Leclerc has made it into the top three during a Grand Prix, with a standout performance in Saudi Arabia. The Briton’s strongest showings have come in Sprint races, where he claimed a win in China and a third-place finish in Miami. These flashes of performance, however, remain isolated incidents rather than signs of a competitive trend.

Leclerc has taken a leading role in defining Ferrari’s set-up direction this season, drawing on his extensive experience with the team. Yet both he and Hamilton are being held back by design decisions made during the car’s development phase. These compromises are now having a direct impact on their competitiveness—especially during qualifying sessions.

Ferrari’s Set-Up Trade-Offs Undermining Qualifying Pace

According to a detailed report from Italian outlet Autoracer, Ferrari have been forced into compromising their car set-up due to ongoing weaknesses in slow-speed corners. This shortfall has led the team to make several adjustments that are diminishing performance, particularly over a single lap.

One notable consequence was seen after Lewis Hamilton’s post-race disqualification in China. Since then, Ferrari have had to increase the ride height of their car—resulting in reduced aerodynamic efficiency and a loss of straight-line speed that had previously been one of their few advantages.

Moreover, Ferrari’s push for higher-speed stability has led to excessive tyre temperatures during race stints, undermining race-day performance. This contrasts sharply with McLaren, who have made significant strides in tyre management and currently lead the midfield with more consistent results.

What concerns Ferrari most, Autoracer reports, is the surprising lack of pace from both Hamilton and Leclerc on new tyres. Given that Charles Leclerc is widely regarded as one of the grid’s most formidable qualifiers, and Lewis Hamilton holds a record-breaking number of pole positions, this lack of initial grip and performance is particularly troubling. The car’s inability to maximise the performance of fresh Pirelli tyres is limiting both drivers’ potential to fight for strong starting positions—crucial in a season where overtaking remains difficult.

Ferrari Banking on Major Upgrades to Rescue 2025 Season

The Miami Grand Prix highlighted how far Ferrari have fallen. Rather than challenging Red Bull or McLaren, the Scuderia appeared to be battling with Williams. Neither Hamilton nor Leclerc managed to challenge Alex Albon on pace, and Lewis Hamilton had to fend off a late-race attack from Carlos Sainz just to hold position.

Charles Leclerc has hinted that Ferrari are preparing a significant update package, with the hope that the upcoming Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola could mark a turning point. The upgrades are seen as critical—not just to salvage the team’s season, but to restore confidence among fans and within the paddock.

Fred Vasseur is acutely aware of how much pressure comes with managing Ferrari, especially when racing in front of the passionate Tifosi at their home Grand Prix. A lack of improvement in the coming weeks could see scrutiny intensify around his leadership.

Ferrari’s loyal supporters are known for their high expectations and low tolerance for underperformance. If Hamilton and Leclerc continue to be hampered by an uncompetitive car, the spotlight will turn sharply on the decisions made during the off-season—and on Fred Vasseur’s ability to steer the team back toward the front of the grid.