Charles Leclerc has revealed how the "very extreme" setup required for Ferrari's SF-25 at the start of the F1 season led to an increase in errors from both him and Lewis Hamilton.
Why it matters:
Ferrari's 2025 car, the SF-25, presented significant challenges, particularly after a double disqualification at the Chinese Grand Prix mandated running the floor higher than ideal. This not only hampered performance but also forced drivers into specific, often difficult, set-up avenues, directly impacting their ability to avoid mistakes.
The details:
- The initial car design and subsequent adjustments due to rule infringements made the SF-25 exceptionally tricky to handle.
- Leclerc noted that this pushed both drivers to set up the car in "very extreme ways," directly contributing to a higher frequency of errors.
- Despite these challenges, Leclerc has consistently achieved podium finishes, securing five in the first 14 rounds.
- He expressed overall satisfaction with his personal performance this season, highlighting that apart from a "very poor weekend" at Silverstone, his form has been strong.
Improved performance:
Recent upgrades have significantly improved the car's behavior. Leclerc credits these advancements with making the SF-25 easier to drive, allowing both him and Hamilton to operate within a more "reasonable window." This has directly translated into fewer errors and a better ability to extract maximum performance, leading to more consistent results like his increased podium rate.
What's next:
The team will continue to build on these upgrades, aiming to further refine the car's setup to challenge for victories more consistently. The focus remains on optimizing the SF-25 to empower drivers and minimize the need for extreme, error-prone configurations.