Ferrari’s Australian GP struggles due to aerodynamic and setup Issues

Ferrari’s performance at the Australian Grand Prix was severely impacted by a “serious problem” with the SF-25, discovered during the race weekend in Melbourne.

Despite a promising start on Friday, both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton struggled in qualifying and failed to contend for the front row. The rain-affected Sunday race saw them barely remain in the top 10.

According to Motorsport Italia, the root of Ferrari’s struggles lay in incorrect simulator settings, which led to the car running too low on the track. The team was forced to raise the ride height to avoid excessive plank wear and potential penalties, but in doing so, aerodynamic downforce was lost, affecting performance.

A strong effort but it wasn’t meant to be. We’ll continue to work hard and go again in a week! pic.twitter.com/oMzDYAHwGl

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— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) March 16, 2025

Additionally, Ferrari’s rear wing choice proved to be a mistake. The team opted for a medium-to-high downforce setup, but in Melbourne’s conditions, it acted like a parachute, reducing efficiency. Meanwhile, rivals chose smaller and more effective rear wings, further exposing Ferrari’s miscalculations.