Small particulars making an enormous distinction for Ferrari
Yesterday’s qualifying proved very difficult from a purely technical standpoint. Two groups had been precisely on the identical stage—Pink Bull and McLaren. But as soon as once more, Ferrari lagged behind its rivals, unable to seek out an efficient setup that would restrict the SF-25’s quite a few flaws and weaknesses.
Based on our sources, Ferrari had hoped to be nearer to the entrance, however that didn’t materialize. The primary day of the nineteenth spherical of the 2025 World Championship was, as typically occurs, sophisticated and much from easy. Austin is a extremely technical observe, and having just one follow session made all the pieces much more advanced.
That is very true for a crew with a automotive that’s notoriously difficult to arrange, the place even small elements can compromise the automotive’s optimum working level. In Texas, exact compromises are required—ones that Ferrari struggled to seek out. Including to this, Charles Leclerc misplaced the ultimate a part of Free Apply 1 resulting from a gearbox difficulty on automotive quantity 16, placing the crew at an obstacle.
On-board evaluation exhibits minimal variations
As regular, we examined all on-board footage from qualifying very fastidiously. There are not any vital variations between Ferrari and its rivals when it comes to trajectory. The SF-25 managed to discover a first rate general stability, however its efficiency remained low in comparison with Pink Bull and McLaren.
The ultimate qualifying classification confirms this actuality. Sector-by-sector knowledge reveals a number of causes for the hole suffered by the Italian automobiles. In sector one, each Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc had been fairly fast via the primary a part of the snake, however the hole elevated considerably between turns 8 and 9. On this part, Ferrari instantly misplaced three-tenths of a second to direct rivals.
Alongside the lengthy straight in sector two, the hole remained regular, indicating that Ferrari’s high pace is aggressive with Red Bull and McLaren. There are not any groups that stand out on this regard. In sector three, the deficit is concentrated primarily at flip 15, the place one other two-tenths had been misplaced over just some meters.
Potential progress stays restricted
General, Ferrari’s efficiency losses are extremely localized. In idea, with improved stability and sector-specific setup compromises after the Dash Race, the SF-25 may make vital progress. Nonetheless, extra follow time can be needed, and tomorrow’s schedule is unlikely to supply a serious change to this weekend’s outlook.
A portion of the hole can as soon as once more be attributed to tire administration. The sector occasions point out a slight degradation over the lap, suggesting rear tire overheating. However, in comparison with different circuits, the crew dealt with thermal evolution comparatively properly.
Neither driver reported complaints over the radio, and so they appeared to have discovered a extra environment friendly compromise between tire efficiency within the first and remaining sectors. Final 12 months, reaching this stability was far more tough. In the end, the automotive’s potential stays, even with limitations imposed by experience peak. Maybe for that reason, Charles Leclerc just isn’t assured that tomorrow will carry a greater consequence than what was seen right this moment.
