Charles Leclerc's confidence shaken as Ferrari SF-25 displays unexpected instability in Sakhir test
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F1 fans got their highly anticipated first glimpse of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc in action with Ferrari's 2025 challenger during pre-season testing, marking a significant milestone for the Scuderia ahead of the new season.
For the first time, both drivers had extended on-track sessions to push the SF-25 to its limits, with Hamilton ultimately posting the faster lap time between the two. On the second day of testing, the seven-time world champion clocked a 1:29.379, edging out Leclerc's best effort over the three days by just 0.052 seconds. This session also marked Hamilton's first real experience working with Ferrari's power unit and his race engineer, Riccardo Adami.
Notably, Hamilton's benchmark lap time outpaced Carlos Sainz's best effort from the previous year's pre-season tests, reinforcing Ferrari's strong early pace. Across the three days, the British driver completed an impressive 162 laps, gathering crucial data for the team's development program.
While the Briton appeared content with his initial impressions of the SF-25, Charles Leclerc also expressed optimism about its race pace and single-lap performance, particularly in comparison to rivals McLaren and Red Bull. However, according to the Italian version of the Motorsport website, the Monegasque driver's confidence took a hit after encountering a sudden and unexpected handling issue.
Charles Leclerc loses confidence in Ferrari's SF-25 after unpredictable handling shift
Ferrari focused much of its winter development on resolving key weaknesses from last season, including a major suspension overhaul inspired in part by Hamilton's feedback. The SF-25 now features a front pull-rod suspension layout, a significant departure from Ferrari's past designs. This change, aligning the team's approach with Red Bull and McLaren, promises greater aerodynamic efficiency but introduces new setup complexities for engineers and mechanics.
Despite the theoretical benefits, the revised suspension layout has posed fresh challenges for Charles Leclerc. Reports suggest that during testing, he experienced an unsettling shift in the car's behavior, losing confidence in the rear stability as the balance abruptly swung between oversteer and understeer.
Low track temperatures played a role in increasing understeer, while tyre degradation emerged as another concern. During his second-day race simulation, the Monegasque reportedly struggled with excessive tyre wear, which could indicate a lingering weakness Ferrari must address before the season opener.
Where does Ferrari stand among F1's top contenders after pre-season testing?
Ferrari was one of the teams to log the fewest laps during testing, partly due to external factors such as rain disruptions on day two and an unexpected telemetry anomaly that forced Hamilton to cut short his race run on day three.
Among the leading teams, George Russell set the overall fastest time of the test, though fuel loads and engine modes remain an unknown variable. Ferrari appeared to be running in conservative engine settings, similar to Red Bull, which opted not to complete a full race simulation under competitive conditions.
With pre-season testing now complete, Ferrari's true competitiveness remains uncertain. While early signs suggest they are in the mix with Red Bull and McLaren, the unpredictable handling characteristics observed by Charles Leclerc raise key questions that the team must resolve before the Australian Grand Prix on March 16.
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