The 2025 Formula 1 season has been a year of highs and lows for Scuderia Ferrari, with the team enduring a period of confusion, silence, and, finally, some clarity.

After months of speculation and uncertainty, the real challenges behind the team’s performance struggles have come to light.

The Ferrari SF25, the car that was meant to challenge the likes of McLaren and Red Bull, has proven more difficult to handle than initially expected, especially for two-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who joined the team for the 2025 season.

However, with major upgrades promised at the upcoming Spa-Francorchamps Grand Prix, all eyes are now on whether Ferrari can make the necessary improvements and return to the front of the grid.

The British Grand Prix: A Difficult Weekend

The 2025 British Grand Prix at Silverstone was a pivotal moment in Ferrari’s season. While the race was memorable for Lando Norris’ first-ever home victory and Oscar Piastri’s continued championship charge, it was also marked by a disappointing performance from Hamilton. The seven-time world champion, who has been a constant podium contender at his home race since 2014, found himself outside the top three for the first time in over a decade. Even in Mercedes’ most challenging seasons, Hamilton had always managed to find a way to finish on the podium at Silverstone. However, this year, in a Ferrari, that streak was broken.

Hamilton, clearly frustrated with his performance, described the SF25 as “the most difficult car I’ve ever driven in changing conditions.” The British Grand Prix weekend was filled with unpredictable weather, including a damp start, mid-race rain, and a drying track, conditions where Hamilton’s experience typically shines. Yet, he struggled throughout, admitting that the car simply wasn’t suited to these conditions. He even hinted that the SF25’s fundamental issues may extend beyond just a poor weekend and could carry over into future seasons.

A Team Struggling with Consistency

Ferrari’s struggles with the SF25 have been a theme throughout the 2025 season. While the team started the year with a competitive car, they have not been able to maintain their form across the entire season. At the end of the 2024 campaign, Ferrari was in close competition with McLaren, but over the winter, the team made drastic changes to the car, reportedly redesigning over 90% of it. Unfortunately, the results of these changes have been far from ideal.

Despite introducing a new floor at the Austrian Grand Prix and more upgrades promised at Spa, Ferrari has been unable to make a breakthrough. During the British Grand Prix, Hamilton revealed that he was “a second off the pace” and struggled to even keep the car on track. Both Ferrari drivers, including Charles Leclerc, were particularly critical of the car’s performance in high-speed corners, where they found the SF25 unpredictable. The team has yet to publicly disclose the root cause of these issues, but Leclerc has alluded to an ongoing problem affecting the car’s behavior in these corners.

The Core Issue: A Power Steering Problem

While the team has been tight-lipped about the specifics of the issue, rumors from inside the Ferrari camp have pointed to an intermittent power steering problem as the key to their struggles. According to Motorsport.com Italy, internal sources revealed that this issue arises when the drivers push the car to the limit, particularly in high-speed corners where lateral G-forces are at their peak. In these conditions, precise steering feedback is essential, and even the slightest inconsistency in steering feel can affect the driver’s confidence and rhythm, resulting in slower lap times.

Leclerc has hinted at the existence of this problem but has stopped short of confirming the exact details. However, he has expressed hope that the team’s upcoming upgrades will address some of these issues. These upgrades, which are expected to debut at the Spa-Francorchamps Grand Prix, could include a revised rear suspension that Ferrari has been working on for several months. The new package was initially scheduled for earlier in the season, but delays have pushed its introduction to a later point in the year.

The Importance of Spa-Francorchamps

The upcoming race at Spa-Francorchamps on July 27th is seen as a crucial test for Ferrari. Spa, with its long, fast, and demanding corners, will put the SF25 to the ultimate test. If the team’s upgrades prove effective, they could not only help Ferrari regain their confidence but also close the performance gap to their rivals, McLaren and Red Bull. The expected improvements may result in a gain of up to a tenth of a second per lap, but more importantly, resolving the power steering issue could restore the drivers’ confidence, which has been lacking in recent races.

A successful upgrade at Spa could be the boost Ferrari needs to remain competitive in the 2025 season. With the championship hopes of Hamilton and Leclerc slipping away, the team still has the opportunity to fight for podiums and even victories if they can resolve their issues in time. Moreover, the new upgrades could provide a solid platform for the team to build on for the 2026 season, when the sport is expected to see further technical and regulatory changes.

A Psychological Boost for Hamilton and Leclerc

For Hamilton, a podium finish at Spa would be a significant milestone in his first season with Ferrari. It would offer validation that the team is on the right track and that their long-term project has the potential to succeed. After years of dominance with Mercedes, Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was seen as a gamble, and a strong result at Spa would confirm that the decision was the right one.

For Leclerc, a return to form after a challenging first half of the season would be a major boost to his confidence. The young Monegasque driver has been consistently underperforming compared to expectations, and getting back into podium contention would reassure him that the team’s direction is correct.

McLaren’s Growing Challenge

While Ferrari has struggled, McLaren has shown remarkable improvement in 2025, with Norris and Piastri consistently performing well at the front. McLaren’s growth has caught the attention of Ferrari’s rivals, with McLaren team principal Andrea Stella suggesting that Ferrari, not Red Bull, may pose the biggest threat to McLaren’s dominance this season. Despite their own struggles, Ferrari’s strong qualifying and race simulation performances have impressed McLaren, who are now keeping a close eye on the team’s upgrades.

If Ferrari’s upgrades at Spa prove effective, they could significantly shake up the competitive order. With the midfield now tighter than ever, a competitive Ferrari could not only alter race results but also force strategic shifts among the top teams battling for constructor’s points. The dynamics in the latter half of the 2025 season will be fascinating, as Ferrari fights to regain its place among the top teams.

Conclusion: A Crucial Test at Spa

Ferrari’s 2025 season has been a rollercoaster, marked by both frustrating setbacks and hopes for redemption. With a major upgrade coming at Spa, the team’s fortunes may soon change. The race at Spa will be a critical test for the team, as it looks to resolve its steering issues and close the gap to McLaren and Red Bull. If Ferrari can get it right, Hamilton and Leclerc could still be in the fight for podiums and possibly wins. The 2025 season is far from over, and Ferrari’s ability to bounce back could set the stage for a more competitive finish to the year and lay the groundwork for future success.

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