The Ferrari efficiency at the Mexican GP, the twentieth spherical of the 2025 F1 season, was shocking in some ways. Qualifying had been distinctive, with all the crew managing to optimize the SF-25’s efficiency and convey it to the highest. Now, the main target shifted to the race, the place the problem intensified over the 300-kilometer distance. Charles Leclerc crossed the road in second place, whereas Lewis Hamilton might solely handle eighth. Let’s take a better have a look at the race from the cockpit of the Scuderia Ferrari.
Ferrari struggles in the beginning
Every thing was prepared. Normal automotive checks had already been accomplished, together with the facility unit, transmission, hybrid system, and brakes. Solely the formation lap awaited. The stability achieved by the Italian crew proved glorious—an ideal compromise between aerodynamic downforce and high pace, important for the race.
The automobiles lined up on the grid. Leclerc’s begin was removed from excellent; the clutch didn’t interact easily, and Hamilton, reacting quicker, stayed in his slipstream to the primary nook. They entered aspect by aspect into the braking zone, however the Monegasque misplaced rear grip in a sudden snap, chopping the chicane. On the next straight, he returned the place to Lando Norris, who had capitalized on the state of affairs.
In the meantime, the Maranello pit wall obtained information that Hamilton reported a potential entrance wing injury by way of radio, confirmed by particles on the observe. The beginning, due to this fact, was unfavorable for the Ferrari automobiles, which didn’t exploit the slipstream as meant. Max Verstappen additionally joined the fray, making the opening lap much more chaotic. By lap 5, Charles Leclerc had stabilized in second place.
Leclerc maintains a powerful tempo
Leclerc managed to maintain a aggressive rhythm, preserving near Norris, whereas Hamilton step by step misplaced floor as a result of suboptimal automotive stability. From the start, the Ferrari engineers instructed each drivers to make use of lift-and-coast strategies to handle temperatures. For automotive quantity 44, this meant lifting off the throttle as much as 100 meters earlier than main braking zones.
Verstappen seized the chance to overhaul Hamilton, who tried a response at Flip 4 however locked up and ran broad. Even Verstappen struggled with the nook, permitting Oliver Bearman within the Haas to realize a place. Hamilton remained third, although more and more distant from Leclerc.
The engineers instructed Hamilton to increase the lift-and-coast to 300 meters earlier than braking to keep away from overheating. Up entrance, Norris tried to tug away, growing his lead over Charles Leclerc to 3 seconds. From the pit wall, Bozzi up to date Leclerc, praising his optimum administration of automotive stability and temperatures—a testomony to the SF-25’s stability within the race’s opening part.
Hamilton penalized: 10 seconds
Because the race progressed, a tactical equilibrium emerged. Drivers targeted extra on managing the automotive than outright pace, maximizing effectivity. Radio directions had been clear: enhance lift-and-coast and step by step launch the throttle earlier below braking. Whereas needed for automotive preservation, these measures lowered the SF-25’s competitiveness.
Norris consolidated his lead, virtually six seconds forward of Charles Leclerc, who maintained a protected hole from Hamilton. Onboard footage confirmed Ferrari struggling by way of the mid-section of the observe, significantly within the “snake” corners, with Hamilton’s automotive showing nervous—an indication of imperfect stability.
After cautious evaluation, the stewards handed Lewis Hamilton a 10-second penalty for not following the observe limits throughout contact with Verstappen, gaining a bonus. The British driver expressed frustration over radio, claiming Leclerc ought to have yielded in Flip 1.
On lap 24, Hamilton pitted to serve the penalty and alter tires. The cease went easily, however he rejoined in 14th with medium tires, trapped in site visitors and going through a difficult restoration.
Leclerc pursues Verstappen
Hamilton’s race turned more and more tough. Caught in site visitors, he struggled with rising brake and engine temperatures. Engineer Riccardo Adami suggested him to raise earlier below braking to chill the brakes barely. In the meantime, on the entrance, Norris elevated his result in 15 seconds over Charles Leclerc, with Max Verstappen 13 seconds behind however displaying a greater tempo. Lewis Hamilton started catching up, passing Alex Albon and concentrating on McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, barely over two seconds forward and already on contemporary tires.
The lift-and-coast technique remained essential for brake temperature management. Apparently, the Verstappen incident was by no means investigated, regardless of the Dutchman’s aggressive transfer into the nook. Lewis steadily climbed positions, finally transferring into the factors.
Charles Leclerc pitted on lap 32, receiving a contemporary set of tires, rejoining in third, proper behind Verstappen, who prolonged his stint on medium tires from the beginning. Charles Leclerc’s technique was clearly targeted on chasing Verstappen, with a spot of round 10 seconds. Verstappen pitted on lap 38, rising simply behind Hamilton, who had gained three positions.
Hamilton switches to gentle tires
Hamilton now had a five-second hole to Piastri, offering some respiratory room. Leclerc resolved a minor radio challenge rapidly and continued managing his automotive. Piastri remained near the 2 Mercedes automobiles however couldn’t overtake. Verstappen quickly accelerated, regaining seventh place. Hamilton opted for a second cease, switching to gentle tires, rejoining in ninth. Each Mercedes and Ollie Bearman additionally modified tires, whereas Verstappen moved to 3rd, about 13 seconds behind. All through, the SF-25 automobiles fastidiously managed lift-and-coast for brake temperatures.
Ferrari secures second place
Leclerc didn’t make additional stops. With about 20 laps remaining, the crew calculated that sustaining a 1’21”7 tempo would hold Verstappen from closing in till the race’s remaining phases. Lewis Hamilton pushed exhausting, closing in on Antonelli. With out the lift-and-coast restriction, Ferrari’s tempo might need been even stronger—Leclerc delivered a constant, clear race after the first-corner incident.
With eight laps to go, Verstappen was simply over 4 seconds behind the SF-25. Bozzi guided Charles Leclerc to optimize efficiency, managing gasoline, differential, and braking. Hamilton’s race was successfully over, whereas Leclerc entered the decisive part. With three laps remaining, Verstappen couldn’t get into Ferrari’s DRS vary. The ultimate twist got here with a digital security automotive, which protected Leclerc and ensured second place.
The Mexican GP concluded with a superb efficiency from Charles Leclerc, displaying composure, consistency, and tactical mastery. Lewis Hamilton’s weekend was compromised by the penalty. For Ferrari, it was a strong middle-of-the-pack race, however the end result stays constructive.
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