Ferrari were seen as McLaren’s most likely challengers heading into 2025, particularly with the addition of 7-time Champion Lewis Hamilton. The team’s performance this year, therefore, is a far cry from pre-season expectations.
Both the drivers and constructors Championships are already out of reach for Ferrari – the only top four team without a race win in 2025.
Conscious of this reality, team principal Fred Vasseur insists his squad must still continue fighting for results.
Vasseur admits McLaren advantage could be too great to overcome
For the last fifteen years, only four teams – Red Bull, Mercedes, McLaren and Ferrari – have been Championship contenders.
The success of these outfits, especially before F1 introduced the budget cap, has been thanks to their vast resources.
Of these teams, only Ferrari have failed to secure a world title in this time period. Barring a sensational turnaround, the Scuderia’s drought is set to continue another year.
When the Italian outfit began their 2025 campaign, the SF-25’s limitations were apparent.
McLaren were faster in slow and high-speed corners, whilst also boasting superior traction and tyre management.
Over the first few months of the season, however, Fred Vasseur insisted there was still potential to unlock in Ferrari’s challenger.
The Frenchman was adamant that more lap-time was on the table even without mid-season updates, which promised to offer a boost.
Unfortunately for Ferrari, their only real progress this year came via the Austrian GP updates.
Whether this package can become a platform for further improvement with the updates due in Spa and Hungary remains to be seen.
What seems clear, however, is any resurgence could come too late for Ferrari to contend for the title.
“I think we are all lucid that it will be more than difficult to come back on McLaren,” Vasseur said after Silverstone.
“First, they have an advantage. Sometimes on some tracks or some conditions we are able to fight with them
“But overall, they have an advantage, and also they have a big advantage in terms of championship.
“And even if you win all the races until the end, I’m not even sure that you will be champion in that for sure.
“But we are still in the fight with Mercedes and Red Bull. We are still in the fight to win some races, and it’s important for the team.”
Ferrari pay the price for slow start
Despite only taking 12 points from the British GP, Ferrari can be take many positives from the twelfth round.
For the first time this year, both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were in the fight for Pole Position.
With more updates to be introduced before the summer break, the SF-25 could be further improved in the coming weeks.
Ferrari’s next package is not trivial either, with modifications to the rear suspension anticipated from Maranello.
This means that McLaren could yet find themselves under pressure in the second half of the 2025.
The Woking team’s advantage, though far from trivial, can still be dented by a successful upgrade from the front-runners.
This will almost certainly motivate Ferrari as they introduce their last series of updates this season.
At the same time, the Scuderia must ensure their 2026 development is on schedule. If they fail to hit the ground running next year, their wait for an F1 World Championship could continue further still.
Main photo: Ferrari media gallery
