The Ferrari Formula 1 team concluded its pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit with mixed feelings about its new SF-25 car. Over three days, the team managed to clock approximately 385 laps, (or 2.084 kilometers), yet uncertainty surrounds the vehicle's performance against strong competitors like McLaren.
On the final day of testing, Charles Leclerc completed 66 laps with the fastest morning session time of 1:30.811 on C3 tires. Despite this, his demeanor during the press conference indicated cautious optimism.
“I have never seen Bahrain like this,” Leclerc reflected. “We found cold and rain, so we cannot compare these tests with those of previous years. The numbers are as expected, but we are still working on the balance of the car, which has not been easy so far. Before making any statements I want to wait for Melbourne, where we will have more representative conditions.”
While Leclerc was circumspect, Lewis Hamilton expressed greater enthusiasm. The seasoned driver completed 47 laps on the last day, recording his best time of 1:30.345 on C4 tires before halting his car due to telemetry anomalies.
“It’s been a fantastic few days and we’ve made great progress as a team,” said Hamilton. “Of course, the weather was tough to manage, but we gained a lot of valuable information. I can’t wait to get out on track in Melbourne.”
The overall performance of the SF-25 left room for skepticism. Despite having both drivers recording strong lap times, the Ferrari team noted the challenges they faced during race simulations.
“I think the conditions have been very inconsistent,” Leclerc added. “The wind changed from run to run. It’s been very tough, making it difficult to identify the strengths and weaknesses of our car.”
Given Ferrari’s prior year success under team principal Fred Vasseur, where they claimed five wins but finished second to McLaren, the stakes are particularly high heading toward the 2025 season.
“If we look at the hierarchy of previous years, what we saw here was not the same as qualifying,” remarked Vasseur. “We will go from 10-15 degrees on the track to the 45 we will have in Australia, so it will probably be a whole different story. We want to fight for both championships.”
Leclerc reiterated the ambitious goals set by Vasseur. “We need to improve our balance, and we are continuing to work hard,” he stated. “We will spend more time on the simulator, using the data collected here to refine our strategies heading to Melbourne.”
Ferrari's pre-season has faced unique circumstances, from uncharacteristic cold temperatures to rain challenges. The team has learned valuable lessons, and both Leclerc and Hamilton have emphasized the importance of these initial tests.
“I’m probably going to Melbourne with a bit more unknown,” Leclerc noted. “But on the other hand, we went through our program and didn’t have any major issues, which is also positive.”
Initial impressions of rivals, especially McLaren, indicate they are strong contenders this season. Leclerc recognizes the necessity of focusing on performance rather than fixate on competitors’ lap times. “It’s too early to draw conclusively, but what we’ve seen so far is promising. We have learned valuable things about our car,” he remarked.
Looking forward to the race weekend, the Ferrari contingent remains dedicated to fine-tuning their performance. Vasseur’s tone is optimistic, buoyed by the steady progress shown throughout testing. “I’m excited to see how this plays out when we get to Melbourne,” he stated.
With expectations high, the preparation continues, as the Scuderia aims for both championships with its new driver pairing of Hamilton and Leclerc. The challenges faced during the testing phase serve as motivation for both the drivers and the engineering team.
Ferrari’s next major test will come on March 14 as they kick off free practices for the Australian Grand Prix, marking the true beginning of the 2025 season.
Whether the SF-25 can deliver the performance needed to compete with McLaren and reclaim championship glory remains to be seen, but lessons learned during this unique Bahrain test will be invaluable.