Ferrari’s 2025 Formula 1 season has encountered significant challenges, particularly with tyre performance, casting doubts over their prospects at the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix.
At the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola, both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc faced difficulties during qualifying, failing to advance to Q3. Hamilton qualified 12th and Leclerc 11th, marking a low point for the team this season. Hamilton expressed his frustration, noting that the car lacked grip on new tyres, which hindered their performance during qualifying sessions .
A perplexing issue has emerged: Ferrari’s SF-25 appears to perform better on used Pirelli tyres than on fresh ones. This anomaly has left the team searching for answers, as they struggle to understand why the car lacks pace on new tyres .
During the race at Imola, strategic decisions further complicated matters. A late safety car prompted discussions about tyre choices. Leclerc considered switching to soft tyres but was advised against it, partly based on information about Hamilton’s strategy. Leclerc’s response, “I don’t care! We are speaking about ourselves,” highlighted his frustration with the team’s decision-making process .
As the team prepares for Monaco, concerns persist. Team Principal Fred Vasseur admitted that Ferrari is “not fast enough,” particularly in qualifying, which is crucial on the tight Monaco circuit . The team’s inability to extract performance from new tyres could hinder their chances in a race where grid position is paramount.
Both Hamilton and Leclerc are eager to overcome these challenges, but without resolving the tyre performance issues, their aspirations for success in Monaco remain uncertain.