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Ferrari Unafraid of 1 Sec Gap to McLaren as Charles Leclerc Puts Up Brave Fight Against Lando Norris

Somin Bhattacharjee
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F1 - PRE-SEASON TESTING 2025 - BAHRAIN 81 PIASTRI Oscar (aus), McLaren F1 Team MCL39, action 44 HAMILTON Lewis (gbr), Scuderia Ferrari SF-25, action during the Formula 1 Aramco pre-season testing 2025 of the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship

Pre-season testing results don’t always reflect the true pecking order of the F1 grid. However, they give the paddock an idea of what to expect and this season, most predictions look to be falling in McLaren’s favor.

Winners of the Constructors’ Championship last year (for the first time since 1998), McLaren have a lot to be excited about. They were arguably the fastest team over the course of three days of testing in Bahrain, and the mood was optimistic. The same, however, cannot be said about Ferrari.

Expected to be McLaren’s main challenger, Ferrari’s SF-25 appears to be around three-tenths of a second to one second slower than the MCL-39. “We expect them to be one of the quickest if not the quickest,” Ferrari’s new driver Lewis Hamilton admitted. “We’ve definitely got some work to do to improve.”

That said, Ferrari aren’t admitting inferiority to McLaren yet.

After comparing the data of Charles Leclerc‘s run to that of Lando Norris, the Maranello-based squad was not particularly ‘nervous’, AMuS reported. They did acknowledge that McLaren were better, but took into account that they were carrying extra weight around the Bahrain International Circuit.

‘Ferrari believes that the moderate asphalt temperatures met McLaren and the red car was carrying more weight around. Ferrari left all measuring instruments on board until the last day of testing,’ the report read.

In pre-season, all teams follow different programs. Ferrari, with a heavier fuel load, were noting something different than McLaren, which makes it difficult for lap times to be comparable.

Ferrari banking on track temperature

In Bahrain, the track and its temperature, in particular, suited McLaren much better than Ferrari. In addition to the Italian team’s added weight, the tires worked better for McLaren, according to the same report.

In Melbourne, however, they feel that the conditions will suit the SF-25 more, which will present them with a fighting chance for the win.

It won’t be unfamiliar territory for the Scuderia either since they finished 1-2 in Albert Park just under 12 months ago. On that day, it was Carlos Sainz who took the victory for Ferrari, with Leclerc finishing second, a little over two seconds behind.

Everything went in their favor that day, including a DNF for reigning champ Max Verstappen who at that point of the season was still driving the fastest car.

This year, however, it likely won’t be as easy for Ferrari to eke out a win. The field seems to be extremely competitive, and even if the track temperatures bring them closer to McLaren and also Mercedes, another team that had a good pre-season.

Post Edited By:Vidit Dhawan

About the author

Somin Bhattacharjee

Somin Bhattacharjee

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Basketball Editor Somin Bhattacharjee first discovered the game during the 2014 FIBA World Cup. Not long after, he turned to the NBA and found himself drawn to the Golden State Warriors — right at the start of Stephen Curry’s rise. Over time, the admiration turned into full-blown support for the team, one that continues even as the Curry era approaches its twilight. A true hoophead, Somin also follows EuroLeague basketball closely and enjoys exploring the game beyond the NBA. Though holding a bachelor's degree in marketing, Somin discovered his true calling in writing. Since 2021, he has penned over 3,000 articles for TheSportsRush, covering everything from breaking news to sharp opinion pieces and detailed exclusives. He thrives on writing about in-game moments and the reactions that make basketball a uniquely emotional sport. Beyond basketball, Somin plays different sports including soccer and remains a passionate fan of Spanish football giants Real Madrid

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