Ferrari absence ‘confirmed’ at Chinese Grand Prix following the…read more
Ferrari’s Formula 1 season continues to face challenges following a tough start at the 2025 Australian Grand Prix. After an underwhelming race in Melbourne, the Scuderia is heading to this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai with one of their key figures absent from the garage, further complicating their efforts for improvement.
The team’s 2025 campaign got off to a rough start, with the Australian Grand Prix marred by difficult weather conditions. A major talking point was Lewis Hamilton’s debut for Ferrari, but his performance did not meet expectations, as he finished in 10th place, two spots behind his teammate Charles Leclerc. The race was a strong showing for McLaren, with Lando Norris crossing the finish line first, just one second ahead of Max Verstappen of Red Bull. George Russell rounded out the top three.
Ferrari had hoped to challenge McLaren more effectively this season after a competitive 2024 campaign, but they found themselves facing a significant deficit against their rivals in Melbourne. McLaren, who were Ferrari’s closest competition last year, maintained a strong performance, while Ferrari struggled to keep pace. Mercedes also impressed, picking up a total of 27 points in the race, leaving Ferrari with more ground to cover if they are to stay competitive this season.
Team principal Fred Vasseur expressed optimism for improvements in China, but the team will have to do so without technical director Loic Serra. Italian media sources, including Corriere Della Serra, reported that Serra, who joined Ferrari in October after a stint at Mercedes, has returned to the team’s headquarters in Maranello. His return is part of a planned move to focus on addressing the issues with the SF-25 car and unlocking its potential. This absence comes at a critical time, as the team needs all hands on deck to make improvements in the coming races.
Serra’s return to Maranello is part of an effort to resolve the technical difficulties that have hindered Ferrari’s performance so far this season. His expertise, particularly from his time working with Hamilton at Mercedes, is seen as crucial in helping Ferrari close the gap to their competitors. He is expected to rejoin the team at the Japanese Grand Prix, which takes place in early April, but for now, Ferrari must navigate the challenges of the Chinese Grand Prix without him.
With the absence of a key figure like Serra, Ferrari’s hopes for a quick turnaround in Shanghai are uncertain. However, the team remains determined to make progress, knowing that they cannot afford to fall further behind their rivals if they want to be contenders for the 2025 championship.
