Alexandre
Pre-season testing of Formula 1 in Bahrain were rich in lessons for the Scuderia Ferraribut also with a few surprises for Charles Leclerc. The new Ferrari SF-25, although promising in many respects, exhibited unexpected behavior that troubled the Monegasque driver. While the SF-25's overall performance shows signs of improvement, one strong point of the SF-24 seems to have been erased by this new car: braking feel.
The Ferrari SF-25 is equipped with a new pull-rod suspension system, an important change in the architecture of the single-seater. The aim of this system is to facilitate aerodynamic management and create advantages in terms of the car's overall performance. However, it seems to have brought new sensations, far from ideal for Charles Leclerc.
During testing, Leclerc was quick to point out his difficulties. Indeed, the new system has changed the car's behavior, particularly when it comes to braking. Charles feels he has lost some of the advantage he had last year in this area. This unusual braking sensation has affected his efficiency, an area in which he has always excelled. The lack of confidence in this area came as an unpleasant surprise, especially given the importance of braking to his driving style.
It wasn't just Charles Leclerc who had trouble adapting to the new SF-25. Even Lewis Hamiltona recent arrival at Ferrari, experienced similar difficulties with the new suspension system. Although it's still early to draw definitive conclusions on the SF-25's behavior, it seems that this evolution is more complex than expected, highlighting a little-seen aspect of the new single-seater: an imbalance between the front and rear of the car, particularly during braking phases in technical corners.
To compensate for this problem, Ferrari made a few adjustments to the car. But despite these adjustments, the SF-25 remains difficult to control. This is due to the impact of the pull-rod system which, despite its aerodynamic advantages, makes managing the car's balance even trickier, especially when it comes to performance with different fuel loads.
The information gathered during these tests will be used to update the Ferrari simulator, with real feedback from the circuits, thus reducing the margin of error in future simulations. This work is essential for adjusting the SF-25 to real race conditions. Indeed, Ferrari has also tested specific configurations for the Australian Grand Prix, where the SF-25 is expected to perform better, which could enable Charles Leclerc to rediscover a better feeling, particularly under braking.