Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton completed their first laps in the SF-25 today at Ferrari’s private circuit in Fiorano. Both drivers completed 100km each in the latest Ferrari challenger.
The Scuderia have spoken candidly about their 2025 package, with team principal Fred Vasseur explaining that “99%” of components have been changed over winter.
Leclerc is echoing a similar sense of authority in pre-season, speaking positively after his first laps in the SF-25.
Positive feedback from Leclerc, Ferrari happy with early data
Every team has two allocated ‘filming days’ per season, where they can complete 200km of running and collect valuable data.
These sessions are especially important in modern F1, where testing time is so restricted.
For Ferrari, today’s runs in Fiorano provided their first indicators about how competitive the SF-25 will be.
Indications over winter break have been positive, with Fred Vasseur’s personnel happy with the data from the wind tunnel.
Whilst Ferrari cannot be certain of their position in the pecking order in 2025, 200km of running can certainly help them determine if the SF-25 is performing as intended.
Having established a strong platform last year, the Maranello-based operation aims to take a step forward and take revenge on McLaren – who narrowly defeated them to claim the constructors Championship.
According to Charles Leclerc, the early indicators are positive and the car works as intended:
“We’ll find out on the track if it’s the best car,” he told Sky Italy. “It’s definitely better than the 2024 one.
“The constructors’ championship is the most logical one [goal]. Last year we came in second, very close to McLaren.
“But I’ve always had a dream , to win the title. And I hope to do it in 2025.
“We [himself and Lewis Hamilton] get along very well. I have a lot to analyse about his way of working and his driving. Let’s hope it’s Ferrari’s year.”
After completing 100km in the SF-25, the Monegasque made clear that Ferrari are targeting the Championship:
“Today we didn’t have any bad surprises, like [a bad] feeling or numbers that we didn’t expect.
“The feeling was good… I would be disappointed if we don’t win one of the two World Championships.”
Several teams in the fight
In the context of their strong finish to last year’s campaign, Ferrari are favourites – alongside McLaren – to contend for the Championship once again.
Assuming that both teams sustain their trajectory from 2024, they should be in the battle for victory when the lights go out in round 1.
Inevitably, Ferrari’s blockbuster driver line-up can only boost their chances of taking the crown.
If they are within touching distance of the fastest team, Hamilton and Leclerc will be called upon to make the difference.
Of course, Hamilton must acclimatise to an entirely new environment before the season begins. For this reason, pre-season testing in Bahrain will be of the utmost importance for the 7-time Champion.
Drivers aside, Fred Vasseur’s team enter 2025 with all the elements in place to have a successful year.
Unless Red Bull or Mercedes have found a silver bullet over the winter, the Maranello-based operation should be within touching distance of an elusive world title.
Whether it is Charles Leclerc or Lewis Hamilton who will set the tone in the SF-25, remains to be seen.
