Ferrari opens the season with challenges in Bahrain and ahead in Saudi Arabia
The opening weekend in Bahrain proved difficult for Ferrari as Charles Leclerc retired with an engine fault and could not match the pace of rivals. Carlos Sainz, Fernando Alonso, and the Aston Martin package looked to close the gap, signaling early hurdles for Maranello. In Saudi Arabia, the situation grew more complex with Leclerc facing a ten‑place grid penalty on Sunday after using a third electronic control unit in the SF-23. The penalty added pressure right at the start of the race weekend and required careful strategic planning from the team.
Host race for Aston Martin and Fernando Alonso
As the season begins, Ferrari’s team principal faces heightened scrutiny from fans and pundits, with opinions in Italy about the team’s direction becoming more vocal. Yet there is a sense among Ferrari personnel that the course can be corrected. The aim is to optimize the balance seen during the Bahrain weekend and to maximize the potential of the current package while recognizing the need for handling and performance improvements.
Ferrari has stressed that Bahrain’s conditions do not fully represent a typical race weekend. With just three days of testing and one race completed, the development window remains tight. The objective is to understand the car’s behavior more deeply and determine which updates could lift competitiveness without overburdening the project pipeline.
The challenge also includes the track surface at Sakhir, where aggressive asphalt accelerates tire wear and can reduce pace stability. A lack of rhythm can push drivers beyond safe limits, accelerating wear and destabilizing balance. The focus is on maximizing raw performance and the car’s potential, especially in qualifying and the opening laps, where track conditions often dictate early momentum.
The team plans to adapt the setup for the Saudi Arabian circuit, where grip, surface roughness, and layout differ significantly from Bahrain. The aim is to become more attuned to what the car can deliver while bringing targeted updates for the Jeddah race. A clear list of improvements is being worked through with priority given to short‑term gains and a staged path for longer‑term upgrades.
Most powerful engine
From the rival perspective, Red Bull has highlighted Ferrari’s need to address degradation while acknowledging that Ferrari operates one of the strongest engines on the grid. Independent assessments and team observations suggest Ferrari leads in peak power, with Honda close behind. Mercedes and Renault contribute to the broader performance mix, each bringing strengths in power delivery and durability. This conversation signals a competitive engine race that will influence strategy and development throughout the season.
Ferrari is believed to have closed the gap on top speed, but tire wear remains a critical variable. The overall package shows progress in speed, yet endurance in tire management and degradation continues to be a focus area. Ongoing assessments point to the need for a tuning of how the car handles and preserves tires over longer stints, a key factor in race strategy and final results. The understanding is that the team must optimize both speed and reliability to stay competitive against the strongest advances from their peers.
Attributions: This summary reflects season context and is supported by official motor sports statements and independent analysis from teams across the grid.