Ferrari’s Sprint Race Disaster in Qatar

Charles Leclerc started ninth but dropped to 13th after a difficult first lap and several wild moments driving an unstable car. Lewis Hamilton started from the pit lane after a last-minute setup change but finished 17th, barely making progress through the field.

Leclerc and Hamilton on worsening car behavior

Both drivers highlighted that the SF-25 had worsened since qualifying. Leclerc described the car as “incredibly difficult to drive” with lack of grip and poor rotation hindering his pace. Hamilton echoed this, emphasizing severe rear instability, bouncing issues, and dangerous sliding that made controlling the car a constant fight.

Technical challenges at Lusail

Ferrari’s SF-25 suffered from significant handling issues, notably increasing oversteer and bouncing at key corners, alongside tire warm-up problems. Despite attempts to adjust setup, the car struggled on Lusail’s fast and bumpy street circuit, failing to provide drivers with confidence or consistent performance.

Impact on Ferrari’s season ambitions

This sprint performance marked the first time since 2021 that neither Ferrari scored points in a sprint race, casting doubts on their ability to contend with McLaren and Red Bull in the championship fight. Both drivers stressed the urgent need for major changes to the car to salvage the remaining races of the 2025 season.