In the wake of the opening five races of the 2025 Formula 1 season, Ferrari's team principal, Fred Vasseur, has addressed the current challenges faced by the Scuderia. Despite glimpses of strong performance from seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, the British driver has struggled to find the right harmony with the new SF25 car since joining Ferrari from Mercedes at the end of the previous season.

Hamilton's transition to Ferrari has been marked by ups and downs. After a challenging start in Australia, where he faced significant pace issues, he managed to secure pole position during the Shanghai sprint race. This led to a spectacular performance in the 19-lap race that followed, where he showcased his skill and determination. However, his fortunes took a turn for the worse at Suzuka, encountering problems during qualifying and battling with tire degradation that hindered his overall race performance.

Despite these setbacks, Hamilton appeared to regain some form during the Bahrain Grand Prix. Although he qualified ninth on the grid after struggling to complete a strong lap, he executed a strategic race plan that allowed him to climb the ranks, ultimately finishing in fifth place due to a series of impressive overtakes. Vasseur remains optimistic about Hamilton's contribution to Ferrari's development, highlighting the importance of his two decades of experience in F1.

Hes bringing a wealth of experience to our team20 years in Formula 1, with stints at different teams including almost a decade at McLaren and a twelve-year tenure at Mercedes. Having a driver of his caliber can only help us improve, Vasseur stated during a recent press conference. He emphasized the competitive nature of the current F1 landscape, noting that multiple teams are closely vying for top positions, complicating the quest for consistent performance. With four to six teams battling for the win, its essential to understand what others are doing and learn from them, he added.

Addressing the challenges posed by the SF25, Vasseur pointed to the critical role of tires in determining the teams setup and performance. Like the rest of the grid, we are facing difficulties in putting everything together. Tire sensitivity is a significant factor; even minor mistakes can lead to setbacks that cost us valuable positions, he remarked. He urged patience and caution in drawing conclusions, citing the tight competition among teams where small errors can have substantial consequences. For instance, look at Max [Verstappen]he was fantastic in Japan but struggled the very next weekend, he explained.

When asked about Ferrari's approach to enhancing the SF25's performance, Vasseur acknowledged the ongoing struggle to establish the right balance in the car. Our recent stint showed some promise, but we still need to work on consistency, whether during qualifying or the race itself. To contend for wins, we need to ensure that our weekends are more reliable, he insisted. The team faces a unique challenge this season, as they have introduced an entirely new car rather than developing an evolution of their previous model.

Its crucial that we remain focused, whether its Lewis, Charles, or Carlos. We are dedicated to optimizing performance for all our drivers. This season, however, our new car presents its own set of challenges, Vasseur noted. He encourages the team to maintain a positive atmosphere as they work collaboratively towards their goals. The drivers are aligned in their efforts, and the supportive team dynamic will be key in helping us regain our competitive edge, he concluded.