Ferrari planning ‘small upgrades’ ahead of big Barcelona ‘reset’

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has confirmed that the Scuderia will introduce “small upgrades” at the upcoming Grands Prix in Imola and Monaco as they aim to stabilize performance and regroup before a major “reset” package arrives at the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona.

In Miami, the scarlet cars of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton crossed the checkered flag in seventh and eighth position, nearly a minute adrift of McLaren’s duo.

Now 152 points behind the reigning champions after six races, the Italian outfit banking on a strategic overhaul to turn the tide, with incremental developments followed by a pivotal change in Spain next month.

Vasseur outlined Ferrari’s approach with precision.

“For sure everybody will have a new front wing in Barcelona – by definition and by regulation,” he told media, quoted by Motorsport Week.

“I think it will be perhaps a reset of the performance of everybody. Between now and Barcelona, we have Imola and Monaco, we will bring some small upgrades.”

These tweaks aim to coax more performance from the SF-25, particularly as the team anticipates a level playing field in Barcelona, where an FIA clampdown on flexing front wings could blunt McLaren’s edge.

For Ferrari, it’s a chance to close the gap and rediscover their competitive spark.

Unlocking Potential: Vasseur’s Faith in Car and Drivers

Despite Ferrari’s struggles, Vasseur remains convinced the SF-25 has untapped potential, hindered by the team’s inability to maximize it.

“Honestly, I think the main issue today for us, if you consider McLaren, it’s a matter of exploiting the potential, comparing to the others, it’s more to be aggressive to the others,” he explained.

“I think the focus of the team in the next two races is to put everything together and to get the best of the car.”

The Frenchman is particularly focused on improving the car’s single-lap pace, a critical weakness in qualifying that has left Leclerc and Hamilton fighting uphill battles on race day.

“I trust completely Charles and Lewis,” he continued. “Charles, if you have a look at the last five years, and Lewis is the record man of the competition, they are able to do the job in quali, plus on them it’s one of their characteristics.

“Today it’s not the case with this car, but we have to improve, and we have to do a much better job of this stage of the race.”

Read also:

• Hamilton: Ferrari car promising, but ‘something is holding us back’

With Imola and Monaco on the horizon, Ferrari’s small upgrades are a stepping stone to Barcelona’s big reset, where Vasseur hopes a refined car and regulatory shift will unleash Leclerc and Hamilton’s talents.

For Ferrari, it’s a race against time to transform potential into podiums.

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