Ferrari Struggles to Regain Momentum at Barcelona Circuit
Charles Leclerc concluded the opening day of the Spanish Grand Prix in the top five, expressing cautious optimism about his pace despite battling the intense heat on a track nearing 50°C this Friday. The Monegasque driver highlighted that, although conditions were tough, the team’s performance exceeded initial expectations.
“The track temperature is extremely high, which makes things a bit more complicated. Grip levels aren’t as good as we’d like, but overall, today was more encouraging than anticipated. The car shows signs of improved performance, and I hope we can unlock even more before tomorrow’s qualifying sessions,” Leclerc stated.
“There’s still a lot of work ahead, but we’re not far off the mark. Tonight, we’ll focus on a few critical areas to maximize our potential,” he added. Leclerc’s perspective aligns with the consensus among his peers, who agree that the recent changes to the front wing regulations have had minimal impact: “Teams adapt quickly; we all have the tools in the car to simulate similar setups, so the differences are marginal,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton experienced a challenging first day, finishing 11th and expressing frustration over his car’s handling and lack of pace. The British driver indicated that his SF-25 was difficult to control and that performance levels were inconsistent.
“Today wasn’t enjoyable, and it wasn’t a good day for us or the rest of the grid. The car behaved unpredictably, and our performance was all over the place,” Hamilton commented. He also mentioned on the radio that his vehicle was “unmanageable.”
“We made some adjustments during the second session that will guide our direction tonight. Our focus now is on analyzing the data and making improvements for tomorrow,” he added. Despite the setbacks, Hamilton remains hopeful, emphasizing the importance of team morale: “I’m trying to motivate the team. We need to stay focused, keep working hard, and not give up. Progress is possible, and we’re committed to fixing these issues.”
Reflecting on the unpredictable nature of race weekends, Hamilton noted that a difficult Friday can be followed by a strong performance, citing Monaco as an example where the car suddenly felt better. He acknowledged that the recent sessions were disappointing, especially after a promising first run, but remains optimistic about future improvements.
Ferrari’s team principal, Frédéric Vasseur, responded to Leclerc’s comments about the car’s handling, noting that the driver’s remarks were somewhat exaggerated: “His comments on the radio were a bit extreme, but he did complete a solid final stint with the soft tires, matching his best lap times.” Vasseur explained. “This suggests the car wasn’t as bad as it sounded. Still, what matters most is that the drivers return to the track, and we have constructive debriefs to improve the car’s performance.”
Haas continues to analyze its F1 setup, noting that recent front wing revisions are “very similar” to previous configurations.
Sainz comments that Williams F1 is currently “not a contender for Q3” in the upcoming qualifying rounds.
Team Insights and Future Outlook
Ferrari’s ongoing struggles at Barcelona highlight the challenges faced by top-tier teams in maintaining competitive performance amid evolving regulations and demanding track conditions. Despite the setbacks, the team remains committed to refining their setup and extracting maximum performance from the SF-25. As the season progresses, continuous development and strategic adjustments will be crucial for Ferrari to close the gap with frontrunners.
