The Formula 1 world is abuzz following the initial stages of pre-season testing in Bahrain, with whispers suggesting Ferrari may have made a significant leap forward.
The arrival of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has amplified the spotlight on the Scuderia, and early indications point towards a potentially seismic shift in the championship battle.
Ferrari, having narrowly missed out on second place in the 2024 Constructors’ Championship to McLaren, has been the center of intense scrutiny.
The team’s aggressive development strategy, with team boss Fred Vasseur claiming the new SF-25 is “99% different” from its predecessor, has fueled speculation of a major performance gain.
Lewis Hamilton, now sporting Ferrari red, has completed four days of testing, including runs in the 2023 car, a Pirelli tire test with the 2024 model, and a shakedown of the brand-new SF-25.
However, the current three-day test in Sakhir, where both Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are maximizing track time, is providing the most crucial data.
According to reports from Gazzetta dello Sport, “rumors in the industry” are circulating that Ferrari has surpassed McLaren in the development race, potentially positioning them as the team to beat in both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships.
This claim is further supported by comments from former F1 driver Martin Brundle, who stated that the “feeling” within the paddock is that Ferrari has made more significant improvements than its rivals.
If these rumors prove accurate, it could mark a dramatic turning point for Ferrari, who have not won a Drivers’ Championship since 2008. For Hamilton, this could be the opportunity to secure his record-breaking eighth title.
The dynamic between Hamilton and Leclerc is a key storyline heading into the season. Former Ferrari engineer Xavi Marcos has warned Hamilton about Leclerc’s “really high level” of performance, suggesting a fierce intra-team battle.
The form book suggests that Leclerc may have the edge in qualifying, which could give him a strategic advantage in races.
However, some analysts have raised concerns that a close battle between Hamilton and Leclerc could inadvertently aid their rivals, such as Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who is expected to dominate against his teammate, Liam Lawson.
The 2025 season is anticipated to be one of the most competitive in recent memory, as teams push their current ground-effect regulations to their limits.
The convergence seen in the latter half of the 2024 season is expected to continue, making even the smallest performance gains crucial.
The season is set to commence with the Australian Grand Prix (March 14-16), followed by the Chinese Grand Prix (March 21-23), and the Japanese Grand Prix (April 4-6).
