Gary Anderson sounds alarm on Ferrari's SF-25
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ormer F1 designer Gary Anderson has cast doubt on whether Ferrari's new SF-25 truly represents an "upgrade" over the "problematic" Mercedes machines Lewis Hamilton wrestled with in recent years.
Hamilton's blockbuster move from Mercedes to Ferrari ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 season has sparked immense anticipation, with fans and pundits alike eager to see if the seven-time World Champion can clinch a record eighth title with the Scuderia.
However, after closely monitoring Ferrari's performance in pre-season testing and the SF-25's behavior, Anderson suggests that Hamilton may face familiar challenges in his quest for glory.
The past three seasons under F1's ground-effect regulations were a struggle for both Hamilton and Mercedes.
Since 2022, the Briton has managed just two victories, with his 2024 season – despite wins at Silverstone and Spa – marked by a significant qualifying deficit to teammate George Russell.
Hamilton's candid admission late last year that he is "not fast anymore" fueled speculation about his form as he turned 40 in January, even as his move to Ferrari offered a glimmer of hope for a triumphant final chapter.
Anderson's Verdict: A Lack of Driver-Friendly Traits
Writing in his column for The Telegraph, Gary Anderson offered a somewhat sobering assessment of the SF-25 based on its display in Bahrain.
Far from being the step forward Hamilton might have hoped for, the former Jordan Grand Prix technical director Anderson argued that the Ferrari lacks the "benign" characteristics the Briton thrives on.
"From 2022-2024 he struggled to varying degrees with an unpredictable Mercedes, and last year was the low point," Anderson wrote.
"Although he won two races it was comfortably – or should that be uncomfortably – the worst season of his career. It is still early days, but on first impressions it does not look as though the new Ferrari is a great upgrade on last year's Mercedes W15."
Anderson elaborated on the SF-25's handling, noting, "From the early running the SF-25 does not appear to be as driver friendly as I would expect.
"Hamilton likes a benign car from which he can extract the most from his talent and minimise lap time. It did not look that benign [in testing]."
"When Hamilton drove the car it was hitting the ground quite hard and bouncing and this probably caused him to have a few minor off-track moments.
"There will always be uncertainty at this early stage of the season, yet when you see Hamilton making mistakes or running wide you can say for certain that the car is not giving him the feedback he wants."
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For Anderson, although he offered room for optimism, a key question remains unresolved.
"In short, I am not sure if he has a package – yet – better suited to him than the problematic car he drove in 2024," he said.
"It is early days, though, and that may well come with some set-up experiments and when team-mate Charles Leclerc, who knows more how the Ferrari should feel, gets more into it."
Brundle's Onboard Alarm: "Really, Really Nasty" Handling
Alex Brundle, the racing driver and son of Sky F1 pundit Martin Brundle, was among the first to sound the alarm about the SF-25's behavior during the final day of testing in Bahrain.
Commentating on onboard footage of Hamilton's laps, Brundle described the car's handling in stark terms.
"That Ferrari looks really difficult to drive this afternoon," he said, quoted by Planet F1.
"I was watching it a little earlier on. Exit at Turn 4, entry at Turn 11, way wide. Through the mid corner of Turn 13 as well. Anywhere where it's got its tail to the wind, Hamilton is really struggling to get it into the apex."
©Ferrari
Even as Hamilton completed a relatively stronger lap, Brundle remained unconvinced.
"This is going to be a better lap for him, but it doesn't look happy. Big understeer through the mid corner [but] it's probably one of the better corners of [Hamilton's] lap.
"It looks really, really nasty behind the [wheel], whatever they've done to that Ferrari for Hamilton, whatever they're testing."
Acknowledging the experimental nature of pre-season, he added, "Of course, you take avenues that don't always work, but that isn't friendly."
Brundle's observations align with Anderson's concerns, painting a picture of a car that could test Hamilton's adaptability – an unwelcome echo of the unpredictable Mercedes W15 he left behind.
Ferrari's Technical Challenges and Leclerc's Struggles
The SF-25's difficulties aren't limited to Hamilton. According to PlanetF1, Reports from Italy suggest that Charles Leclerc also grappled with the car's "unexpected and unpredictable behaviour" in Bahrain.
The team's decision to revert to a pullrod front suspension layout – a design not seen on a Ferrari since 2015 and long championed by rivals McLaren and Red Bull – has reportedly shifted the car's balance from Leclerc's preferred oversteer to understeer, sapping his confidence.
Ferrari's technical team, led by Loic Serra, is said to be working tirelessly to address these issues ahead of the Australian Grand Prix, with "nothing left to chance" in their preparations.
The significant changes to the SF-25, including the suspension overhaul, could offer Ferrari greater development potential as the season progresses.
However, mastering the pullrod concept appears critical to unlocking the car's full performance – a task that may take time and fine-tuning.
As Hamilton embarks on his Ferrari journey, the early signs from Bahrain suggest he may not have escaped the challenges that plagued his final years at Mercedes.
Anderson's caution that the SF-25 is not yet a "great upgrade" and Brundle's description of its "really, really nasty" handling underscore the uncertainty surrounding the Italian outfit's new machine.
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For a driver who thrives on confidence and consistency, the SF-25's current form could pose an immediate hurdle.
Yet, with the season yet to kick into gear, there remains hope that Ferrari can refine the car to suit Hamilton's strengths.
As Anderson noted, Leclerc's familiarity with the team's dynamics and ongoing setup experiments could yet turn the tide.
Whether the SF-25 evolves into a championship contender or remains a problematic successor to Hamilton's Mercedes past, the Australian Grand Prix will offer the first true glimpse of what lies ahead for F1's most celebrated driver in his bold new chapter.
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