Ferrari has had a disappointing start to the 2025 season in the opening three races. The Australian Grand Prix saw the Scuderia only score a handful of points before the double disqualification in China. In Japan, the pace of the red car improved, but the Italian team was still far off the speed of McLaren and Max Verstappen. However, Charles Leclerc has indicated that the team will be bringing a set of upgrades to the next race in Bahrain as they look to close the gap to the leaders.
Ferrari has begun the season with a 2-3 tenth deficit to McLaren that they need to close. Charles Leclerc believes these upgrades are important and could change Ferrari’s fortunes.
Charles Leclerc hopes Ferrari upgrades “pay off”
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc finished fourth at the Japanese GP, where the Monégasque qualified. However, the 27-year-old was sixteen seconds off Max Verstappen and was just able to fend off the Mercedes duo behind him. Leclerc is waiting for the upgrades in Bahrain, which he hopes could be a game-changer.
Speaking after the race, Leclerc said, “The upgrades in Bahrain are very important. I’m going to Bahrain with a very different vision from the tests, with a clear direction to take for my driving style. I hope it pays off.”
🚨| Charles Leclerc gives his thoughts after a lonely fourth place finish today:
“Yes, there was something better: the feeling was better, i have my ideas clear about what i’ll do in the next races to feel comfortable and to have more results like this.
But it doesn’t make me… pic.twitter.com/cmW8v1Y3JV
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) April 6, 2025
Ferrari has had many difficulties with the SF-25. One main issue is that during qualifying, the soft tyres degrade, meaning they have less grip towards the end of the hot lap. This cost Lewis Hamilton in Japan, who could only qualify in P8. The drivers have also complained of understeer, resulting in the car being difficult to turn. The Scuderia will hope these upgrades help solve these issues.
Ferrari still not able to compete with top 2 teams
Ferrari had hoped to give Charles Leclerc and new recruit, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, a car to challenge for titles. However, the opening three races have shown the Scuderia are only the fourth quickest and quite a way off the pace.
Charles Leclerc continued: “The feeling was better, I have my ideas clear about what I’ll do in the next races to feel comfortable and to have more results like this. It doesn’t make me smile, because when we do everything perfectly like today, it hurts to end P4 with not much pace.
“It hurts because you do your best, you know you couldn’t do better as a team, you realise you lack 2-3 tenths from RBR (Red Bull Racing) and McLaren… this is it.”
Ferrari Falls Short in Australian GP Qualifying After Promising Practice Sessions
Lewsi Hamilton added: “Yeah, I think it looks like we are fourth. We’ve got Red Bull, McLaren, Mercedes, and then us.”
Ferrari will believe they can still turn their season around after a poor start to 2025. Last year, the team suffered a mid-season slump and was far off the pace. However, the Italian team changed their fortunes to nearly pip McLaren to the title. They need to up their pace before it’s too late, but will the upgrades in Bahrain get them closer to McLaren? Only time will tell.
