Ferrari lands in China after the delusional weekend in Australia. All the eyes are on the Italian team and its drivers to prove themselves.
Ferrari has to show its potential to keep up with the McLarens.
It’s race week once again and this time in Shanghai. The Chinese city is now living its rebirth after the Covid pandemic and last year it came back on the F1 calendar.
But when it comes to Scuderia Ferrari, the Chinese Grand Prix represents a huge question mark, especially after a difficult weekend in Australia.
Ferrari: Where We Left Off
In Australia, Ferrari had an underwhelming weekend. With only five points gained and a huge gap with McLaren and Red Bull, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton were P8 and P10.
Moreover, the strategies and the communications in the team needed some improvement.
Naturally, there is room for improvement and, with a pair like Leclerc-Hamilton, the battle is open. Still, on the track of Albert Park, the Rossa did not show the same potential seen in the tests.
This means that Shanghai is a test, an exam to pass for the Scuderia of Maranello, especially after the campaign made during the winter break.
READ MORE: 2025 F1: Chinese Grand Prix Preview
Ferrari: Where We Are Now
The track in Shanghai is one of the most complex ones in terms do performance. Looking at last season and at Leclerc’s words, the Chinese circuit isn’t the most ideal one for Ferrari.
Representing the Chinese dragon, it i 5.451 km long, with 16 turns and to DRS zones. With its high-speed corners and long straights, it will be quite challenging. Those require a good balance to run, something that Ferrari spent the entire 2024 to work on.
Another thing to keep in mind is the asphalt. The track has a new one, so harder compounds are required. The chance of overtaking guarantees to the team the possibility to focus on better tyre management.
This week marks the first Sprint of the season, which assures the chance to understand the number of pit stops and what compounds are necessary for the race.
The Chinese GP may tell all as if the Shanghai circuit doesn’t suit the SF-25, there is a high chance that even other tracks won’t.
Words from the Scuderia
With the lights that have to go off in a couple of hours in China, the drivers gave their opinions about the GP.
“The team intends to prepare a different set-up for this weekend. In Australia it was the first race for us, something quite different from the tests, so I limited myself to observing the team procedures.”
“Here in China I will play a more active role, suggesting the changes I want to make.” – Lewis Hamilton.
Leclerc has high hopes for the team during this weekend:
“I am sure that the car has much more potential – explained the Monegasque – as a team we are determined to unlock the performance of the SF-25.
“After the race in Melbourne, the team has done a lot of analysis, we are improving our knowledge with the car and I think we can already make some progress here”. – Charles Leclerc.
So far so good for the Scuderia, as Leclerc was P2 in FP1, with Hamilton in P4.
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Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / PsnewZ
Recording Date: 21.03.2025
