On the finish of Friday’s classes on the 2025 System 1 British Grand Prix, Scuderia Ferrari Workforce Principal Frédéric Vasseur expressed satisfaction with the workforce’s efficiency and launched a transparent problem to rivals McLaren. From Vasseur’s viewpoint, the remainder of the weekend at Silverstone may supply probably the most intense and balanced battle seen to date this season, particularly within the race, the place Ferrari appeared to indicate robust tempo in comparison with a extra conservative McLaren method.
Precisely one 12 months in the past, Ferrari arrived at Silverstone surrounded by uncertainties, primarily as a result of introduction of a brand new flooring that didn’t ship the anticipated efficiency and reintroduced the issue of aerodynamic bouncing. Twelve months later, the temper inside the Maranello-based workforce is markedly extra optimistic. Even the physique language of the Ferrari engineers now reveals a touch of satisfaction, with seen enhancements encouraging a extra hopeful outlook.The general verdict from the primary day of working is optimistic, particularly concerning race tempo, quite than single-lap efficiency—one thing that has already been noticed at different circuits this 12 months. Probably the most encouraging takeaway is that, not like earlier Fridays the place Ferrari usually ended the day trailing each Mercedes and Crimson Bull, this time the SF-25 appears to be like rather more able to combating for the entrance rows of the grid.
Mercedes is reportedly hoping for a big drop in temperatures to regain competitiveness, whereas Crimson Bull Racing goes by means of a difficult part, paying homage to their struggles at Silverstone within the 2024 season. Final 12 months, the RB19 suffered on the fast-flowing corners of the British monitor, and early indicators counsel the RB20 is dealing with comparable difficulties this weekend. All eyes might be on Saturday to see if the state of affairs will be circled.
As Fred Vasseur emphasised earlier than the beginning of the weekend, the secret’s not simply enchancment however being able to capitalize on any alternative that arises. To take action, the primary important step was to place each Mercedes and Crimson Bull behind. And primarily based on Friday’s outcomes, Ferrari seems to be on the precise path.
Talking to Sky Italia on the finish of Free Observe 2, Frédéric Vasseur was upbeat in regards to the workforce’s progress: “The day went nicely. The whole lot was optimistic in each FP1 and FP2. This afternoon, even through the race simulation, our tempo was there and it was constant,” he defined.
Wanting on the lap occasions, Charles Leclerc’s stint confirmed minimal degradation, regardless of a comparatively aggressive opening tempo within the 1:30 vary—an commentary Vasseur additionally highlighted. Within the case of Lewis Hamilton, nevertheless, tire graining grew to become an issue. The seven-time world champion was pressured to pit sooner than scheduled to vary tires. The early push initially of the stint possible contributed to the graining challenge, which grew to become extreme sufficient to require an unscheduled cease.“Possibly we pushed a bit of an excessive amount of in the beginning of the race simulation, however being aggressive can also be encouraging for tomorrow. We’ll be ranging from scratch once more because the gaps between the groups are minimal. However this might flip right into a improbable battle—the very best we’ve seen because the starting of the season,” Vasseur added.
In distinction, McLaren’s drivers approached their race simulations extra cautiously, sustaining very steady lap occasions early on earlier than posting some very spectacular occasions towards the tip of their stints. It’s clear the groups have adopted very completely different methods.
“That you must discover the precise stability,” Vasseur mentioned. “You may begin a race a bit extra conservatively, however you may’t be too gradual both, otherwise you’ll find yourself caught in visitors. So, it’s all about discovering that candy spot. Possibly at present we pushed an excessive amount of, however truthfully, I believe it’s effective. It’s the easiest way to search out the restrict—so long as you don’t overdo it.”
Even when analyzing the qualifying simulations, there have been noticeable variations between the 2 Ferrari drivers. Lewis Hamilton seemed sharp and simpler within the slower sections of the monitor, whereas Charles Leclerc appeared extra aggressive by means of the medium-to-high-speed corners. Hamilton struggled barely in Flip 6 and popping out of the high-speed sequence the place driver talent performs an important position, particularly due to the heavy steering inputs required. Nonetheless, each drivers might want to shut the hole to the McLarens, notably within the slower sections of the lap.
A lot of the eye this weekend stays on the current updates launched by Ferrari, particularly the brand new flooring that debuted on the Austrian Grand Prix. Nonetheless, Frédéric Vasseur emphasised that success doesn’t come from a single improve, however from placing collectively all the required components—highlighting, as soon as once more, the significance of execution, a recurring theme in Ferrari’s 2025 season.
“I hope the brand new flooring helped us,” Vasseur admitted, “however truthfully, I believe it’s extra about placing every thing collectively—having an excellent setup, good stability, and guaranteeing the drivers are totally centered. That’s extra vital than the tenth of a second you may acquire from a single improve. After all, the updates assist as a result of they put you in a greater general place. And when you’re there, you begin paying extra consideration to the small particulars. It turns into a type of virtuous cycle.”
“At the moment, I believe every thing went very nicely,” Fred Vasseur concluded, “however let’s see how issues develop tomorrow. We shouldn’t get carried away with expectations. We have to concentrate on ourselves. We’re not totally happy but with the automotive stability or the lap occasions. It’s a troublesome monitor as a result of the primary sector is kind of gradual, and then you definitely go into high-speed corners—however general, we’re in an excellent place.”
Jul 4, 2025
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