Ferrari races to unlock SF-25 secrets at Chinese GP after Australian stumble

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— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) March 19, 2025

Simulator takes center stage before Shanghai challenge

Post-Australia, Ferrari’s efforts shifted into high gear at their Maranello base. Engineers and drivers logged extensive simulator hours to pinpoint the SF-25’s weaknesses and tailor its setup for the Chinese circuit. Shanghai’s track, with its 1.2-km straight and demanding corners like the snail-shaped opening sequence, requires a fine balance between top speed and grip—a balance the Italian outfit is still working to perfect.

Vasseur underscored the significance of the freshly laid asphalt. In past years, Shanghai’s surface has thrown curveballs due to its variable conditions, and the lack of extended sessions to “wake up” the track could muddy data interpretation. With only one practice session before the Sprint qualifying, any setup misstep could prove costly in a weekend featuring two races.

Logistics provided a small boost for Ferrari. While rivals like McLaren, Red Bull, and Mercedes faced delays in equipment delivery due to cargo flight issues, the Scuderia’s gear from Melbourne arrived on schedule. This timely arrival offers extra preparation time in a tightly packed schedule, a detail that could tip the scales in their favor.

What to expect from the Sprint weekend

The Sprint format, making its seasonal debut in Shanghai, heightens the stakes for all teams. After Friday’s lone practice, cars enter parc fermé conditions, with limited tweaks allowed until Sunday’s main race. This structure demands Ferrari nail the SF-25’s setup from the outset, testing both technical preparation and the adaptability of Leclerc and Hamilton.

Hamilton, a six-time winner at the Chinese GP, brings invaluable experience to the table. The Briton has long excelled on this track, while Leclerc aims for his maiden victory here. Their combined skill could prove decisive if the car performs as hoped. Tire choices, featuring softer compounds than in Melbourne, will also shape race strategy.

Weather forecasts add another layer of uncertainty. Cooler temperatures on Friday may complicate tire warm-up, while a rise to 24 degrees on Saturday and Sunday could favor teams adept at managing wear. After struggling with pace in Melbourne, Ferrari must ensure the SF-25 performs across these varying conditions to maximize points in both races.

Lessons from Australia drive tweaks

In Melbourne, the SF-25 lagged behind Max Verstappen’s dominant Red Bull and Lando Norris’s standout McLaren. Leclerc finished fourth, while Hamilton, in his Ferrari debut, missed the top five. Straight-line speed deficits and tire performance issues emerged as key bottlenecks, problems the team now aims to address with detailed post-race analysis.

Engineers found that setup choices in Albert Park, paired with its stop-and-go layout, hid the car’s true potential. Shanghai’s more open design should play to the SF-25’s strengths, particularly on straights and long-radius turns. Simulator work focused on aerodynamic load and suspension tweaks to optimize performance under different conditions.

Ferrari is also keeping tabs on the competition. Red Bull remains the team to beat, but McLaren’s Melbourne form suggests they could again challenge. Mercedes and Aston Martin, despite logistical hiccups, pose threats with drivers like George Russell and Fernando Alonso, known for capitalizing on tricky circuits.

Tight schedule shapes Chinese GP

The Chinese GP marks the country’s return to the Formula 1 calendar after years away, and the weekend follows a fast-paced rhythm. Here’s the breakdown:

• Friday: Free practice (morning) and Sprint qualifying (afternoon).
• Saturday: Sprint race (morning) and GP qualifying (afternoon).
• Sunday: Main race, spanning 56 laps.

This compact timeline shrinks adaptation windows, making pre-race preparation vital. Ferrari leaned heavily on simulations to anticipate the circuit’s demands and mitigate surprises from the new asphalt or weather shifts.

Points at stake and pressure to perform

The Sprint format boosts the Chinese GP’s points haul. Saturday’s short race awards up to 8 points to the winner, while Sunday’s Grand Prix offers the standard 25 for first place. For Ferrari, aiming to close the gap to Red Bull in the constructors’ standings, every position matters, especially after a shaky start in Australia.

Leclerc, a top finisher in the 2024 drivers’ championship, needs consistency to stay in contention. Hamilton, settling into his new team, seeks strong results to validate his move to Ferrari. The duo will have the squad’s full support, with Vasseur promising meticulous attention to detail to unlock the SF-25’s potential in Shanghai.

The Chinese round doubles as a litmus test for the season ahead. A solid showing could signal that Melbourne’s woes were a blip, while another slip-up would raise red flags in Maranello. With fierce rivals and a packed calendar, Ferrari can’t afford missteps.

Shanghai circuit highlights

Shanghai’s track is renowned for its unique traits. Check out some key features:

• The 1.2-km pit straight ranks among Formula 1’s longest, rewarding cars with strong top-end speed.
• Turns 1 and 2, shaped like a snail, demand precision and stability under braking.
• The circuit has hosted 16 Chinese GPs, with Hamilton leading as the most successful driver (6 wins).
• The 2025 resurfacing remains an unknown variable for teams.

These factors make Shanghai a comprehensive test of driver and machine, and Ferrari hopes to harness them to find the balance missing in Australia.