After gains in Bahrain, Ferrari targets McLaren with upgrades and sharp strategy ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah.
Ferrari is setting its sights on a return to the podium this weekend at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah, thanks to recent performance gains and a refined race strategy. With a one-stop race plan in mind, the team hopes to capitalize on improvements made since the season opener in Bahrain.
Charles Leclerc believes upcoming upgrades will help the team be more competitive on the high-speed Jeddah street circuit. Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur shares that optimism, confident Ferrari can begin closing the gap to McLaren and Mercedes.
“This weekend marks the end of the first triple-header of the season, and Jeddah presents a very different challenge compared to Bahrain,” Vasseur explained. “At Sakhir, we made small but meaningful steps forward—both through the car’s performance and the team’s execution in qualifying and the race.”
“In the days since, we’ve been analyzing the data back at Maranello and pushing hard to improve. Our goal in Jeddah is the same: stay focused, get the most out of the car, and make consistent progress. That’s the only way to catch the teams ahead.”
One major positive from Bahrain was Ferrari’s new floor design. It has reportedly widened the SF-25’s operating window by over 30%, giving the team more setup flexibility heading into Jeddah.
Behind the scenes, the logistics team has been facing a huge challenge during this opening stretch. Teams have covered thousands of kilometers with tight turnaround times between races. Sergio Bondi, Ferrari’s Head of Logistics, explained the complexity of managing freight during a triple-header.
“The start of the season is always tough because we’re preparing sea freight kits that include all the infrastructure we use at the tracks. It’s a detailed process that requires precise planning and strict scheduling,” Bondi said.
“The biggest challenge during this triple-header has been the constant flow of parts between Maranello and the race tracks—everything from new upgrades to spare parts or components needing repairs.”
And the season is only just beginning. Formula 1 will cover around 340,000 kilometers this year. That means moving over 100 team members, plus tons of equipment, all around the globe.
“For the people side, it’s about managing thousands of hotel bookings, rental cars, and airport procedures. For equipment, we use six identical kits across the season, and their movements are carefully planned. The Bahrain kit is already heading to Monaco. The one used in China will go to Miami next, then continue on to the rest of the U.S. races.”
Where possible, the team avoids air freight, prioritizing shipping by sea or land for sustainability reasons.
“Planning is everything. We try to anticipate as much as possible so during the season we’re only dealing with unexpected issues—like a damaged part, a last-minute change, or a shipping accident, like a container falling and damaging everything inside.”
Logistics isn’t just about timing—it’s also key to staying within F1’s cost cap.
“Improving efficiency in our operations helps us invest more in areas that add performance. Our service function is to make everything happen as smoothly as possible. Shipping by sea takes longer, but saves a lot of money. We work closely with our PMO department to consolidate materials and reduce the volume we need to transport.”
“Our strategy is to strike the right balance between weight, volume, and cost. Every bit of efficiency counts.”
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Ferrari Eyes McLaren Battle After Jeddah Step Forward Ferrari Eyes McLaren Battle After Jeddah Step Forward
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