Analyzing Ferrari’s Start in the 2025 Formula 1 Season

In the opening race of the 2025 Formula 1 season, Charles Leclerc found himself crossing the finish line in eighth position. The Monegasque driver, reflecting on a difficult outing, identified two key areas for improvement as Ferrari struggled to keep pace with their rivals.

McLaren’s Dominant Performance and Ferrari’s Missed Opportunities

The wet weather race saw McLaren dominate, with Lando Norris securing a strong win. A potential 1-2 finish for the Woking outfit was disrupted when Oscar Piastri momentarily got stuck in the rain-soaked grass. Joining Norris on the podium were Max Verstappen of Red Bull and George Russell from Mercedes.

Unfortunately, Ferrari failed to match the performance of their competitors. Speaking to the media post-race, Leclerc shared his insights: “For a significant part of the race, we believed a fifth position was secure, but the rain changed everything.” He continued, “It was a tough race, and there are aspects we need to review and work on. We weren’t the fastest out there, but in such conditions, there was an opportunity for substantial points, which we failed to capitalize on today.”

Leclerc lost several positions following a spin at Turn 11. Although the Safety Car later came into play, a late pit stop to switch to intermediates resulted in further position losses. “There are two things we need to look into,” Leclerc stated. “The first is my mistake, and the second is something we will address as a team, ensuring we make the right call if the situation arises again.”

Lewis Hamilton’s Disappointment with Ferrari’s SF25 Performance

Leclerc wasn’t the only Ferrari driver expressing disappointment after the Australian Grand Prix. Team-mate Lewis Hamilton claimed the SF25 was “extremely challenging to handle.” He elaborated to Sky Sports F1, “The conditions were tricky and turned out worse than I anticipated. The car was extremely difficult to drive today.”

Hamilton expressed gratitude for managing to keep the car off the wall, stating, “A lot to learn from it, just getting accustomed to the new power unit in wet conditions.” He further explained that the settings required were different and necessitated a distinct driving style and setup on the steering wheel.

The seven-time champion added, “I held onto the lead for a while,” Hamilton said. “The guidance regarding the amount of rain approaching was lacking. I believe we missed an opportunity.” He explained that he had expected only a brief shower but more rain followed, causing him to lose positions.