Ferrari absence ‘confirmed’ at Chinese Grand Prix
Ferrari Faces Further Disruption Ahead of Chinese Grand Prix
The 2025 Formula 1 season has gotten off to a tumultuous start for Ferrari, and things are about to get even more challenging. Following a disappointing performance at the Australian Grand Prix, the team is now preparing to tackle the Chinese Grand Prix without one of their key technical figures.
Ferrari’s campaign began on a sour note in Melbourne, where Lewis Hamilton made his competitive debut for the iconic Italian outfit. Despite the hype surrounding his move, Hamilton finished a disappointing 10th, two places behind his new teammate Charles Leclerc. The day belonged to Lando Norris, who took the chequered flag ahead of Max Verstappen and George Russell.
As Ferrari looks to bounce back from their underwhelming start, they will have to do so without the expertise of technical director Loic Serra. According to Italian media outlet Corriere Della Serra, Serra has returned to the team’s Maranello base as part of a planned move to address the performance issues plaguing the SF-25.
Serra’s temporary absence is a significant blow to Ferrari, particularly given his experience working alongside Hamilton at Mercedes. His return to Maranello is aimed at unlocking the potential of the SF-25, which has thus far failed to deliver the expected results.
Team principal Fred Vasseur has made it clear that he expects significant improvements from Ferrari in China. However, the team’s task has been made more difficult by Serra’s absence. Ferrari will need to rely on their remaining personnel to extract the maximum performance from the SF-25 and close the gap to their rivals.
The Chinese Grand Prix presents a unique challenge for Ferrari, who will need to adapt quickly to the Shanghai circuit’s demanding layout. The team’s drivers, Hamilton and Leclerc, will be under pressure to deliver a strong performance and haul Ferrari back into contention.
Meanwhile, Mercedes will be looking to build on their impressive start to the season. The team picked up an impressive 27 points at Albert Park, with Russell finishing on the podium. As Ferrari struggles to find their footing, Mercedes will be seeking to capitalize on their rivals’ misfortune and establish themselves as a dominant force in the championship.
The Japanese Grand Prix, scheduled to take place over the first weekend in April, will mark Serra’s return to the Ferrari garage. Until then, the team will need to rely on their remaining personnel to guide them through the challenges of the Chinese Grand Prix.
As the Formula 1 paddock descends upon Shanghai, all eyes will be on Ferrari to see how they respond to the absence of their technical director. Can Hamilton and Leclerc deliver a strong performance and get Ferrari’s season back on track, or will the team’s challenges continue to mount? The Chinese Grand Prix promises to be a thrilling and unpredictable event, with Ferrari’s fortunes hanging precariously in the balance.
