The Ferrari efficiency on the Mexican GP, the twentieth spherical of the 2025 F1 season, was stunning in some ways. Qualifying had been distinctive, with all the crew managing to optimize the SF-25’s efficiency and convey it to the highest. Now, the main focus shifted to the race, the place the problem intensified over the 300-kilometer distance. Charles Leclerc crossed the road in second place, whereas Lewis Hamilton may solely handle eighth. Let’s take a more in-depth take a look at the race from the cockpit of the Scuderia Ferrari.
Ferrari struggles at the beginning
The whole lot was prepared. Commonplace automotive checks had already been accomplished, together with the facility unit, transmission, hybrid system, and brakes. Solely the formation lap awaited. The steadiness achieved by the Italian crew proved wonderful—an ideal compromise between aerodynamic downforce and high velocity, important for the race.
The vehicles lined up on the grid. Leclerc’s begin was removed from good; the clutch didn’t have interaction easily, and Hamilton, reacting quicker, stayed in his slipstream to the primary nook. They entered aspect by aspect into the braking zone, however the Monegasque misplaced rear grip in a sudden snap, reducing the chicane. On the next straight, he returned the place to Lando Norris, who had capitalized on the state of affairs.
In the meantime, the Maranello pit wall acquired information that Hamilton reported a doable entrance wing injury through radio, confirmed by particles on the monitor. The beginning, subsequently, was unfavorable for the Ferrari vehicles, which didn’t exploit the slipstream as supposed. Max Verstappen additionally joined the fray, making the opening lap much more chaotic. By lap 5, Charles Leclerc had stabilized in second place.
Leclerc maintains a robust tempo
Leclerc managed to maintain a aggressive rhythm, conserving near Norris, whereas Hamilton steadily misplaced floor as a result of suboptimal automotive steadiness. From the start, the Ferrari engineers instructed each drivers to make use of lift-and-coast methods to handle temperatures. For automotive quantity 44, this meant lifting off the throttle as much as 100 meters earlier than main braking zones.
Verstappen seized the chance to overhaul Hamilton, who tried a response at Flip 4 however locked up and ran large. Even Verstappen struggled with the nook, permitting Oliver Bearman within the Haas to realize a place. Hamilton remained third, although more and more distant from Leclerc.
The engineers instructed Hamilton to increase the lift-and-coast to 300 meters earlier than braking to keep away from overheating. Up entrance, Norris tried to drag away, growing his lead over Charles Leclerc to a few seconds. From the pit wall, Bozzi up to date Leclerc, praising his optimum administration of automotive steadiness and temperatures—a testomony to the SF-25’s stability within the race’s opening part.
Hamilton penalized: 10 seconds
Because the race progressed, a tactical equilibrium emerged. Drivers targeted extra on managing the automotive than outright velocity, maximizing effectivity. Radio directions had been clear: improve lift-and-coast and steadily launch the throttle earlier below braking. Whereas vital for automotive preservation, these measures diminished the SF-25’s competitiveness.
Norris consolidated his lead, virtually six seconds forward of Charles Leclerc, who maintained a secure hole from Hamilton. Onboard footage confirmed Ferrari struggling by means of the mid-section of the monitor, notably within the “snake” corners, with Hamilton’s automotive showing nervous—an indication of imperfect steadiness.
After cautious evaluation, the stewards handed Lewis Hamilton a 10-second penalty for not following the monitor limits throughout contact with Verstappen, gaining a bonus. The British driver expressed frustration over radio, claiming Leclerc ought to have yielded in Flip 1.
On lap 24, Hamilton pitted to serve the penalty and alter tires. The cease went easily, however he rejoined in 14th with medium tires, trapped in visitors and going through a difficult restoration.
Leclerc pursues Verstappen
Hamilton’s race turned more and more tough. Caught in visitors, he struggled with rising brake and engine temperatures. Engineer Riccardo Adami suggested him to carry earlier below braking to chill the brakes barely. In the meantime, on the entrance, Norris elevated his result in 15 seconds over Charles Leclerc, with Max Verstappen 13 seconds behind however exhibiting a greater tempo. Lewis Hamilton started catching up, passing Alex Albon and focusing on McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, barely over two seconds forward and already on contemporary tires.
The lift-and-coast technique remained essential for brake temperature management. Curiously, the Verstappen incident was by no means investigated, regardless of the Dutchman’s aggressive transfer into the nook. Lewis steadily climbed positions, ultimately shifting into the factors.
Charles Leclerc pitted on lap 32, receiving a contemporary set of tires, rejoining in third, proper behind Verstappen, who prolonged his stint on medium tires from the beginning. Charles Leclerc’s technique was clearly targeted on chasing Verstappen, with a spot of round 10 seconds. Verstappen pitted on lap 38, rising simply behind Hamilton, who had gained three positions.
Hamilton switches to comfortable tires
Hamilton now had a five-second hole to Piastri, offering some respiration room. Leclerc resolved a minor radio challenge shortly and continued managing his automotive. Piastri remained near the 2 Mercedes vehicles however couldn’t overtake. Verstappen quickly accelerated, regaining seventh place. Hamilton opted for a second cease, switching to comfortable tires, rejoining in ninth. Each Mercedes and Ollie Bearman additionally modified tires, whereas Verstappen moved to 3rd, about 13 seconds behind. All through, the SF-25 vehicles fastidiously managed lift-and-coast for brake temperatures.
Ferrari secures second place
Leclerc didn’t make additional stops. With about 20 laps remaining, the crew calculated that sustaining a 1’21”7 tempo would maintain Verstappen from closing in till the race’s ultimate phases. Lewis Hamilton pushed onerous, closing in on Antonelli. With out the lift-and-coast restriction, Ferrari’s tempo may need been even stronger—Leclerc delivered a constant, clear race after the first-corner incident.
With eight laps to go, Verstappen was simply over 4 seconds behind the SF-25. Bozzi guided Charles Leclerc to optimize efficiency, managing gasoline, differential, and braking. Hamilton’s race was successfully over, whereas Leclerc entered the decisive part. With three laps remaining, Verstappen couldn’t get into Ferrari’s DRS vary. The ultimate twist got here with a digital security automotive, which protected Leclerc and ensured second place.
The Mexican GP concluded with a superb efficiency from Charles Leclerc, exhibiting composure, consistency, and tactical mastery. Lewis Hamilton’s weekend was compromised by the penalty. For Ferrari, it was a strong middle-of-the-pack race, however the outcome stays optimistic.
Oct 27, 2025
Let different Scuderia Followers find out about us
