Fans of Formula 1 know that Ferrari has faced many challenges lately, but hope is on the horizon. While the team has been working hard to improve their car for 2025, the key to success might lie in executing race weekends better. Can Ferrari return to winning ways soon? Here's what we know about their plans and what it takes to beat the best in F1 this year.
Upcoming Upgrades and Their Impact
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has confirmed that new upgrade packages are in development and will arrive in the upcoming races. These updates are designed to boost the car’s performance and make it more competitive against rivals like Red Bull and Mercedes. Although no drastic changes are expected immediately, analysts believe these incremental improvements could make a real difference in the long run.
Vasseur has emphasized that the focus is not only on car upgrades but also on better race execution. The team aims to maximize the potential of their current machinery, especially in terms of tyre management. Ferrari has been working with Pirelli to find the right balance and tyre usage techniques to improve qualifying and race pace. The goal is to remove the issues with tyre degradation and work in the best window during each stint.
In fact, Ferrari’s advancements are not just about hardware upgrades but also about strategic execution. By improving how they set up the car and manage tyres in races, Ferrari hopes to make more consistent performances. As Vasseur pointed out, executing a clean race and making smart decisions are crucial, especially with the current regulation limits which offer little room for dramatic performance jumps.
Tyres and Race Strategy: The Hidden Factors
One of the biggest challenges Ferrari faces is getting Pirelli’s tyres to perform consistently throughout a race. The team has experimented with different compounds and set-ups, but tyre performance remains a key area for improvement. Struggling to get tyres in the right operating window has hampered Ferrari in qualifying sessions and early race phases.
Leclerc’s recent comments highlight the difficulty. He mentioned that Ferrari often struggles to optimize fresh tyres for a quick lap, which affects starting positions and race starts. Despite these setbacks, Ferrari has shown they can adapt and extract good performance, especially when tyre management is handled well. Their recent wins and performances at tracks like Monza indicate that when tyres are used correctly, they can be very competitive.
Looking ahead, Ferrari plans to introduce a series of upgrades and fine-tune their strategies to better manage tyre wear and degradation. They aim to improve the initial pace in qualifying, which would allow better starting positions and easier race tactics. Vasseur believes that a better understanding of tyre behaviour and a more disciplined approach to qualifying could see Ferrari fighting at the front more often this season.
In summary, Ferrari's journey to victory in 2025 involves a mix of hardware upgrades and smarter race execution. Their focus on tyre management and strategic precision could be the difference between hitting the podium and finishing just outside it.
