Ferrari’s Top Drivers Sound Alarm: Can Their Rushed Response Overcome the SF25’s Issues?

Ferrari’s Formula 1 team is facing mounting pressure as its top drivers, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, publicly express growing concerns about the SF25’s performance. Despite ongoing efforts to upgrade the car, these concerns are not easily brushed aside. Behind closed doors at Ferrari’s headquarters in Maranello, there’s a rush to address these issues, but the question remains: will these upgrades be enough to get the team back on track, or are deeper, more systemic problems holding Ferrari back from competing for race victories?

The Steering Woes: An Early Warning

Charles Leclerc first raised concerns about the SF25’s heavy steering at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in April. This early warning sign was followed by more complaints from both Leclerc and Hamilton about the car’s handling, particularly in high-speed corners. The steering issue became a hot topic at the British Grand Prix, where both drivers voiced frustration about the lack of assistance and the impact it had on their ability to extract the car’s full potential. Leclerc described the steering as “heavy” during a conversation with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri after finishing third in Jeddah, highlighting the difficulty of driving the car in certain conditions.

Leclerc’s remarks were not isolated. Lewis Hamilton, now in his debut season with Ferrari after switching from Mercedes, has also shared his struggles with the SF25, especially around the steering and low-speed handling. During the British Grand Prix, Hamilton described the SF25 as the most difficult car he has ever driven, noting that the car’s low-speed understeer is a persistent issue. Hamilton emphasized that Ferrari cannot afford to bring the car’s current flaws into the following season, suggesting that major changes need to be made in order for the team to be competitive.

Ferrari’s Response: Updates in the Works

In response to these concerns, Ferrari has been working behind the scenes to implement a series of upgrades aimed at improving the SF25’s performance. One of the key upgrades, the rear suspension update, made its first appearance during a filming day at Mugello earlier this week. This new suspension is designed to address the SF25’s ongoing ride height issues, which have hindered the car’s ability to perform at its best. By improving the rear suspension, Ferrari hopes to unlock more performance from the car and potentially challenge for race victories in the second half of the 2025 season.

The new suspension update is set to debut at the Belgian Grand Prix in Spa next weekend, after originally being planned for Silverstone. Despite the anticipation surrounding the update, there is a sense of cautious optimism within the Ferrari camp. Leclerc and Hamilton were both able to test the updated SF25 at Mugello, completing 100 kilometers each. While the updates showed promise, Leclerc was not immediately blown away by the improvements. However, Ferrari remains hopeful that the redesigned suspension will allow the car to sit lower and feel more stable, helping to address its handling issues.

Along with the suspension upgrades, Ferrari is also working on a smaller update to the SF25’s power steering system. Both Leclerc and Hamilton have reported issues with steering accuracy and front-end stability, particularly in high-speed corners. These problems were most apparent during the British Grand Prix, where the drivers struggled to maintain control in the car during critical moments. Ferrari hopes that the power steering update will help alleviate some of these issues, giving the drivers more confidence behind the wheel.

Hamilton’s Critique: A Deeper Problem?

Hamilton’s critique of the SF25 goes beyond just the steering and suspension. The seven-time world champion has been vocal about the car’s chronic low-speed understeer, which he claims makes the SF25 feel more like a tug-of-war opponent than a precision machine. This issue has prevented Ferrari from consistently matching the pace of its competitors, particularly in tight corners where the SF25 struggles to maintain its line.

Hamilton has also expressed frustration with the car’s overall balance. He admitted that, in an attempt to compensate for the understeer, both he and Leclerc have been overdriving the car to extract more performance. This “peaky” nature of the SF25 means that the car is difficult to handle consistently, and the drivers are having to push the car beyond its limits to make up for its deficiencies. Hamilton’s comments suggest that there is a deeper problem at play—one that goes beyond just suspension or steering issues. It’s clear that Ferrari’s current car design may have fundamental flaws that are difficult to correct with simple updates.

The SF25’s Performance: Progress or Stagnation?

Despite the challenges, there have been signs of progress for both Leclerc and Hamilton. Over the course of the season, Hamilton has gradually improved his performance in the SF25, even outqualifying Leclerc in three of the last four races. Although he hasn’t made it to the podium yet, his back-to-back fourth-place finishes in Austria and Silverstone suggest that he is starting to get to grips with the car’s quirks. These improvements indicate that Ferrari may be on the right track, but they also highlight the limitations of the SF25.

One of the key issues that Ferrari must address is the car’s lack of consistency. While the SF25 has flashes of brilliance, particularly in certain conditions, it also has a frustrating tendency to lose performance when it matters most. This lack of reliability is preventing Ferrari from challenging for race victories, and it’s something that the team cannot afford to overlook.

The Road Ahead: Is Time Running Out?

With the summer break approaching, Ferrari is running out of time to address the issues that have plagued the SF25. The team is working overtime to implement the final major upgrades for the current campaign, including the rear suspension update and power steering improvements. However, it remains to be seen whether these changes will be enough to propel Ferrari to the front of the grid.

The Belgian Grand Prix at Spa will be a critical test for the SF25 and for Ferrari’s ability to address its handling and performance issues. With limited practice time during the sprint weekend format, the team will need to hit the ground running if they hope to make a significant leap forward. If the upgrades fail to deliver the desired results, Ferrari could be facing another missed opportunity in what has already been a challenging season.

The pressure is mounting on Ferrari to deliver results. With both Leclerc and Hamilton growing increasingly frustrated, the team’s ability to address the flaws in the SF25 will be crucial to its future success. As the season progresses, Ferrari’s drivers and fans alike will be hoping that the team can find the right balance and finally break their winless streak. Only time will tell if the team’s rushed upgrades can provide the solution they so desperately need.

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