After Ferrari had taken the 2024 constructors’ championship to the wire, with just 14 points between it and eventual winner McLaren after the Abu Dhabi finale, Charles Leclerc expected big things from 2025. Of course, the attention was all on the arrival of Lewis Hamilton, but this suited the Monegasque just fine; he was free to get on with his preparations for the new season out of the limelight.
Ferrari felt that it had run out of road with last year’s SF-24, and took a more revolutionary approach to its 2025 car. A complete review of its suspension package was a calculated risk at Maranello, and one that ultimately didn’t pay off; it was difficult for the drivers to find consistency with the new SF-25. Through the year, the disappointment on Leclerc’s face became more and more palpable with each passing round, and the team’s decision to turn off the taps on development early on ensured that the new car was left underbaked.
