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Ferrari Launches Investigation After Disappointing Australian Grand Prix
Ferrari has begun an internal review following a difficult start to the 2025 Formula 1 season at the Australian Grand Prix. The Scuderia struggled in the season opener, finishing seventh in the Constructors’ Championship standings—lagging behind teams such as Sauber. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton finished in eighth and tenth positions, respectively, raising concerns about the team’s competitiveness.
Race Summary
The Australian Grand Prix presented unpredictable weather conditions, forcing teams to make crucial strategic decisions. A sudden rain shower disrupted proceedings, and Ferrari’s delayed response in switching to intermediate tyres proved costly. Both Leclerc and Hamilton remained on slicks for too long, losing key positions as a result.
The race began under damp conditions, with multiple incidents leading to frequent Safety Car deployments. McLaren’s Lando Norris delivered an outstanding performance to take the victory, ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Mercedes’ George Russell.
Hamilton’s Ferrari Debut
Lewis Hamilton’s much-anticipated first race with Ferrari did not go as planned. Starting from eighth on the grid, he briefly climbed into podium contention but lost ground due to strategy errors. The team’s hesitation in adapting to changing conditions, coupled with a poorly timed pit stop under the Safety Car, saw him drop to tenth by the race’s end.
Throughout the race, tensions surfaced between Hamilton and his race engineer, Riccardo Adami. At one point, the seven-time world champion expressed his frustration over team radio, saying, “Just leave me to it.” This moment highlighted the early adjustment phase between Hamilton and his new engineering team. However, after the race, Hamilton acknowledged the need to refine their communication and expressed confidence in developing a stronger working relationship with Adami.
Leclerc’s Challenging Race
Charles Leclerc faced similar struggles. Early in the race, he provided a moment of comic relief when he reported water in his seat, to which his engineer, Bryan Bozzi, humorously replied, “Must be the water.” Despite the lighthearted exchange, Leclerc’s race was far from easy. Ferrari’s delayed tyre change during the rain period compromised his race, and he ultimately finished in eighth place.
Team Principal’s Response
Fred Vasseur, Ferrari’s Team Principal, faced additional challenges during the weekend, with adverse weather even disrupting live interviews. However, his primary focus remained on the team’s internal issues. He acknowledged that strategic errors played a significant role in the disappointing result and emphasized the importance of rectifying them quickly to improve future performance.
Moving Forward
Ferrari’s internal review will analyze the decision-making process during the race, particularly regarding tyre strategy in unpredictable weather conditions. Enhancing communication between drivers and engineers is also a priority, as clear, real-time discussions are critical for making split-second race decisions.
The upcoming Chinese Grand Prix presents Ferrari with an opportunity to recover. The team plans to apply the lessons learned from Australia, focusing on proactive strategies and improved teamwork. Both Hamilton and Leclerc remain determined to work closely with their engineers to maximize performance.
The 2025 Australian Grand Prix highlighted the complexities of Formula 1 racing and the necessity of swift adaptability. Ferrari’s response to this early-season setback will be crucial in determining its competitiveness in the championship moving forward.
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