Ferrari Struggles in Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix Qualifying

Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, the Ferrari drivers, were left disheartened after qualifying 11th and 12th respectively for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. This marked ‘s most disappointing qualifying performance ever at Imola since their debut on the F1 calendar in 1980. Both cars were eliminated in Q2, a first for the team at this venue.

Ferrari’s Performance Ceiling Reached at Imola

The SF-25 clearly hit its performance limit on this track configuration, struggling particularly with slower corners. Data analysis reveals that the Ferraris were significantly slower than the Williams of Alex Albon at the apex of these corners, despite having a slight top-speed advantage.

During their crucial Q2 laps, both Ferrari drivers lost time compared to their rivals. Leclerc was noticeably sluggish exiting Variante Alta after his car understeered at the entry. Hamilton’s second Q2 run was even slower than his first, indicating a lack of grip on the softest tyres in Pirelli’s portfolio.

Aston Martin, on the other hand, managed to secure fifth and eighth positions on the grid with their drivers on medium tires. Leclerc admitted that such a result was not feasible for Ferrari, acknowledging that others were achieving impressive lap times.

Ferrari’s Upgrade Package for Spanish Grand Prix

Ferrari is set to introduce an upgrade package for the Spanish Grand Prix in two weeks. However, Leclerc expressed concern, stating that it needs to be “a freaking good upgrade” if it is to serve as a turning point for the team. The team’s history suggests that upgrade packages have not always lived up to expectations or have altered the car’s behavior unfavorably for both drivers.

Regardless of the upcoming upgrade, Leclerc acknowledged the limitations of the SF-25 and his own abilities. “I can fight as much as I want,” he said, “but I cannot perform miracles. This is what there is in the car.

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