Ferrari struggles for pace and clarity after F1 test, Has a pecking order emerged from Bahrain?, and other big updates

Ferrari struggles for pace and clarity after F1 test

Ferrari's Bahrain test started strong, with Charles Leclerc feeling comfortable, but McLaren's Lando Norris later exposed a possible gap between the teams with an impressive long run. Unusual weather conditions made it hard to draw firm conclusions, though Ferrari’s struggles with balance suggest there’s work to be done before Melbourne. While McLaren’s pace looked strong, teams remain cautious about comparisons due to varying fuel loads and engine modes. Ferrari acknowledges its test wasn’t perfect, and with Mercedes also showing signs of improvement, the fight at the front remains uncertain.

Click here to read the full article by Jon Noble (the-race.com)

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Has a pecking order emerged from Bahrain?

Ferrari completed 385 laps in Bahrain during pre-season testing, covering 2084 kilometers before the season opener in Australia. Charles Leclerc mostly used C3 tires and set a best time of 1’30”811, while Lewis Hamilton followed a similar plan and recorded 1’30”345 on C4 tires. Ferrari stopped Hamilton’s race simulation early after noticing an issue in the telemetry to avoid risks. Team boss Fred Vasseur is unsure about the pecking order due to changing conditions but hopes Ferrari can fight for both championships.

Click here to read the full article at f1technical.net

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Ex-FIA race director Wittich breaks silence on FIA exit

Niels Wittich revealed that he was never given a reason for his sudden dismissal as FIA race director, describing the news as a complete surprise. His removal, which was announced just before the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix, sparked backlash from drivers and teams. Max Verstappen called it "weird," and George Russell criticized the FIA's handling of the situation. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem reportedly made the decision without consulting Wittich or the drivers, saying it was "none of their business." Wittich, who had been in the role since late 2022, said it was disappointing but accepted that things change quickly in F1.

Click here to read the full article by Christian Nimmervoll (motorsport.com)

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Mercedes could beat Ferrari in early 2025 rounds

Lewis Hamilton’s final day of pre-season testing in Bahrain was cut short after just 10 laps due to a telemetry anomaly, which prevented him from completing his planned race simulation. His pace was worrying, as he was over a second slower than Charles Leclerc’s earlier run and nearly three-tenths slower per lap than George Russell. Mercedes appeared stronger in tricky track conditions, with Russell setting the fastest lap of the day and showing better consistency than Hamilton, whose Ferrari struggled with tire wear and setup issues. While McLaren looked like the team to beat, Red Bull’s true performance remained unclear due to limited running.

Click here to read the full article by Pablo Hidalgo (planetf1.com)

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Everything you need to know about Drive to Survive season 7

Drive to Survive Season 7 premieres on Netflix on March 7, 2025, with ten episodes covering the biggest moments of the 2024 Formula 1 season. The series dives into Lewis Hamilton’s final year with Mercedes, McLaren’s internal rivalry, Ferrari’s driver shake-ups, and Red Bull’s ongoing controversies. Since its debut in 2019, the show has played a key role in F1’s massive surge in popularity, attracting a younger audience and boosting global viewership. With the sport’s revenue hitting $3.65 billion in 2024, Drive to Survive remains a major factor in F1’s growing mainstream appeal.

Click here to read the full article by Alex Harrington (motorsport.com)