Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari debut could be marred by problems with the team’s new car (Image: Getty Images)
Formula 1 fans are abuzz with anticipation as gears up for his debut. The 40-year-old is looking for something of a career resurgence after dropping out of the title picture during the final few years of his tenure.
However, the excitement has been slightly dampened by doubts surrounding ‘s new SF-25 car, which exhibited ‘unexpected and unpredictable behaviour’ during last week’s pre-season test in Bahrain, after team boss heralded it as “a completely new” machine. , Hamilton’s team-mate, is also reportedly unhappy with the modifications, which have dented his confidence. The SF-25 has less downforce at the rear compared to its predecessor, with its balance being switched from the oversteer setup favoured by Leclerc to understeer.
Moreover, a pull-rod front suspension system, historically a choice for and , has also been adopted. What Hamilton thinks about the car behind closed doors remains unclear, although he’s publicly praised the vehicle. Yet, its lacklustre showing in Bahrain has sparked worries that the car might lag behind both ‘s MCL39 and, worringly for Hamilton, ‘ ‘reborn’ W16 when it comes to racing speed.
finished last season a mere 14 points shy of winners in the Constructors’ Championship, and their hopes of ending their 17-year title drought have been dented by worries they’ve lost ground on their British counterparts during the off-season.
Alex Brundle, racing driver and son of former star and Sky Sports pundit , labelled the car’s maneuvering “really nasty” when reviewing footage of one of Hamilton’s laps in Bahrain.
“That looks really difficult to drive this afternoon. I was watching it a little earlier on,” he said. “Anywhere where it’s got its tail to the wind, Hamilton is really struggling to get it into the apex… It looks really, really nasty behind the [wheel], whatever they’ve done to that for Hamilton, whatever they’re testing.”
Charles Leclerc is apparently unhappy with the changes made to the car (Image: GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images)
Similarly, ex- team boss and F1 analyst Peter Windsor expressed scepticism regarding ‘s championship prospects, and cast doubt on the Scuderia’s ability to surpass or in the upcoming campaign based on pre-test indications. “I would not have said, based on what we saw, that are more likely to be ahead of than with what people are saying at the moment,” he said.
“They looked pretty good, but I thought looked pretty good too, and I thought looked pretty good too, so it is getting pretty [tight] between those three. I am not saying, at the moment, that have the jump on and .”
A frantic investigation is now underway at Maranello to identify possible enhancements to the SF-25 in order to capture the perfect balance and true potential of the car, and with season opener in Australia just around the corner, are not leaving anything to chance. The team have been bolder than their rivals with their off-season changes, most notably by adopting a pull-rod system.
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This significant aerodynamic modification improves airflow towards the car’s intricate underbelly, crucial for generating downforce in this ground-effect era.
Italian outlet has lauded the ambition behind the SF-25 project, but has also criticised it for its ‘immaturity’ due to excessive, sometimes unnecessary changes. It suggests that the vehicle is constrained by its core concept and predicts may have to play catch-up throughout the season.
Meanwhile, ‘s technical director Pierre Wache raised suspicions about and using the mini-DSR concept – which has been effectively outlawed by the FIA, who are . “It [the use of the mini-DSR concept] is still going on,” Wache told . “I think and are doing the mini-DRS stuff still… it will be [a big talking point]. It is quite visible.”
Ferrari’s new car didn’t particularly impress during pre-season testing (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
The mini-DRS concept, which aims to reduce drag by triggering minor aerodynamic modifications such as partially opening the rear wing or slightly adjusting secondary aerodynamic elements, is prohibited due to it breaching regulations concerning movable aerodynamic devices beyond the allowed DRS system.
are tipped as pre-season favourites to retain their Constructors’ Championship, while , who came second in the 2024 Drivers’ Championship, is marginal favourite to secure his first world title. Four-time champion and current title holder is also anticipated to be a strong contender, along with Leclerc and Hamilton, though much will hinge on the effectiveness of the SF-25.
The season kicks off in Melbourne on March 16, followed by the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai a week later. After that will be a week’s break, before the season kicks back into gear with the Japanese Grand Prix on April 6.