2025 Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team

[dans79]

I think there has been some solid analysis showing they lost significant time for Charles and Lewis. If they had just sacrificed Lewis, Charles would have been in a strong position to catch Kimi.

I think they both had a chance at catching Ant. Lewis took the best out of his tires sitting in Charles dirty air for multiple laps, and Then Charles lost time in Lewis's dirty air.

[deadhead]

So both the SF25 and the Ferrari F1 technical department have enormous theoretical potential!

Shame we can't see it in practical terms

[Farnborough]

So both the SF25 and the Ferrari F1 technical department have enormous theoretical potential!

Shame we can't see it in practical terms

That's the essence of challenge in F1 .... theoretical meets realisation in the heat of competition against other teams operating in the same reality space. Literally, there's nowhere to hide, no PR bu**sh*te, just absolutely naked performance .... which is what makes it so very interesting.

I feel as previously posted in the thread, this car is not far away at all from competitive pace, something fundamental in there is preventing it taking that last step.
More reporting (supposedly from those in team confidence) that they understand and are working on that definition, needed more than ever now.
They can't dump this one, there's huge need to find out IF they correctly identify what they've got wrong, for this year and future seasons.

[Waz]

The W13 was also meant to be 1 second faster if they could just fix a few pesky issues.......

I just hope it comes soon so I don't build up too much hopium.

A major difference between Ferrari and Mercedes in this set of regs is that Ferrari have built better cars and have that data to use for troubleshooting the SF25.

Mercedes only had theoretically faster updates that perform a certain way.

W13 - at the start was way slower but by seasons end was at a similar pace to the f175 at some tracks

W14- Mercedes finished ahead in constructors so you could argue they had a better car over the season

W15 - sf24 definitely way better apart from mid season

W16 - better than Ferrari so far

That's about 2-2 so I don't think it's fair to say Ferrari have been way better.

None of the those were faster than the Ferrari's really. Even 2023. They were 3rd at almost all tracks but were consistently so while AM, Ferrari and McLaren took turns being 2nd.

SF23 took 7 poles so had speed

[DJ Downforce]

A major difference between Ferrari and Mercedes in this set of regs is that Ferrari have built better cars and have that data to use for troubleshooting the SF25.

Mercedes only had theoretically faster updates that perform a certain way.

W13 - at the start was way slower but by seasons end was at a similar pace to the f175 at some tracks

W14- Mercedes finished ahead in constructors so you could argue they had a better car over the season

W15 - sf24 definitely way better apart from mid season

W16 - better than Ferrari so far

That's about 2-2 so I don't think it's fair to say Ferrari have been way better.

None of the those were faster than the Ferrari's really. Even 2023. They were 3rd at almost all tracks but were consistently so while AM, Ferrari and McLaren took turns being 2nd.

SF23 took 7 poles so had speed

True, Ham was also pretty epic that year so got a load of points.

All the teams have had ups and downs tho, these ground effect cars spare nobody. If you ask a little too much they'll bite back and you go from dominant to fighting with the others

[organic]

AutoRacer has information that suggests Imola will be a round with no significant new features on the SF-25. At the circuit named after Enzo and Dino Ferrari, the red car is scheduled to carry out a one-off test involving the use of a new rear brake duct , updated in the internal ducts, both for aerodynamic reasons and for different cooling management.

https://autoracer.it/it/ferrari-a-imola ... -pacchetto

[Sevach]

A lot of teams betting the brake ducts are Mclaren's secret, Ferrari included.

[Emag]

A lot of teams betting the brake ducts are Mclaren's secret, Ferrari included.

Yep, I think Ferrari was the last team to be confirmed bringing revised brake ducts in Imola. We already knew about Mercedes and RedBull. It doesn't look like it's going to be super hot in Imola, but it will still be interesting to see if the picture changes somewhat when it comes to overheating for other teams.

[Vanja #66]

A lot of teams betting the brake ducts are Mclaren's secret, Ferrari included.

No, they are just improving things now that won't be wasteful development before they solve the main mechanical problem in the rear

[Luscion]

https://autoracer.it/it/ferrari-a-imola ... -pacchetto

The pursuit of upgrades is something that might not be enough, which is why, as we had already told you exclusively last week, Loic Serra would have made the decision to push for changes to the mechanical platform with interventions to the rear suspension.
The mistakes made on the SF-25 originate in the basic concept idea. The enigma is "solved" and the development plan has changed. Imola is one of the two major home events for the Prancing Horse team, which is why there is, regardless of problems, great anticipation around the team. Ferrari arrives at Imola with simulator work still in progress that involves both the team's drivers to arrive with the best setup, an aspect in which there were various difficulties in Miami. The information we have regarding the evolution of the SF-25 allows us to say that the development program has changed substantially. All this since the critical issues of the SF-25 emerged, limited by a rear end that mechanically does not allow full exploitation of the aerodynamic needs of the floor. The potential that Frederic Vasseur refers to is hidden behind a car that cannot express the real aerodynamic load available, seen only in very few glimpses of this first part of the season.

In Emilia-Romagna no big package: in 2024 the evolved SF-24 arrived at Imola, today we wait to see (also) what happens with the Spanish directive. The corrective measures for 2025 will be profound if it's worth it.
The wind tunnel simulation data has always given very positive feedback in terms of the amount of downforce generated, however this cannot be fully exploited. With the problems revealed in Australia, Loic Serra has carried out "interim" work to solve the SF-25 enigma, even considering a possible and almost concrete "in-season" intervention to the rear mechanics. All of this has led to a reorganization of the developments planned for the SF-25, with the exception of the Bahrain package, which was already decided before Australia. Everything has been moved to after the Spanish GP, and is currently being worked on both in terms of decision-making and timing. Barcelona represents a watershed on the technical front to understand how the balance of the cars will change with more rigid wings, especially for those teams that have based much of their firepower on the deformation of the front end. The attitude on the technical directive front from Ferrari has returned a decent neutrality on the possible advantages and disadvantages of the tightening of static controls of the front wings, but it is no coincidence that for many teams, major evolutionary packages for the floor and bodywork are planned for after Spain.

[ScuderiaLeo]

An interesting bit in that article:

Project 677 changed the entire mechanical platform of the car compared to the SF-24, with a change of layout at the front and a completely updated and extreme rear suspension. Some people at the GES believe that a mistake was made in the operation of the new car. In other words they failed to interpret the aeromechanical platform correctly, remaining faithful to some concepts of the old car despite the radical changes.

[Vanja #66]

so what i've been told leads to a conclusion that the barcelona package (some things will also arrive in imola in advance, so to speak) will be very significant and something like miami 24 package for mcl - if ferrari have done a good enough job on fixing the core rear end issue

the mechanical issue is probably the same thing that made barcelona 24 package a complete dud, which required very specific aero solutions on monza floor to improve the car - hence why they are aware sf24 couldn't be improved more than it already has and full redesign was needed

the issue is that the specific assembly upgrade they are preparing for barcelona was defined by a person no longer in the team, by the time new people came and took over it was too late to make a big change and i guess everyone was crossing fingers - this whole part is the most speculative, but also the least important

none of these information came to me directly from anyone in the team, bits and pieces come from various insiders and i've put it all together, we are in agreement on conclusions - if the problem is well and truly solved successfully

when the information goes public, i will expand on the details

My conclusion was overly optimistic, as we've learned lately. I've overestimated the management and their confidence in their tools, I have no other explanation

The issue was spotted quickly, as one of possible reasons for a problem. As it's complex and expensive to solve, they've looked at other possible reasons, mainly trying aerodynamic updates - seemingly without success

Unfortunately, the issues spotted in Barcelona 24 and aero updates that solved them lead the team down the wrong problem-solving path. We can't know if it was possible to pin-point the apparent core issue sooner, but from what we can read - there was a lot of reluctance to commit to it

I can't say I understand why there was no commitment sooner, valuable time and races are now lost

I'll share my thoughts next week at the latest, there will be more articles from our favourite AR team

[deadhead]

so what i've been told leads to a conclusion that the barcelona package (some things will also arrive in imola in advance, so to speak) will be very significant and something like miami 24 package for mcl - if ferrari have done a good enough job on fixing the core rear end issue

the mechanical issue is probably the same thing that made barcelona 24 package a complete dud, which required very specific aero solutions on monza floor to improve the car - hence why they are aware sf24 couldn't be improved more than it already has and full redesign was needed

the issue is that the specific assembly upgrade they are preparing for barcelona was defined by a person no longer in the team, by the time new people came and took over it was too late to make a big change and i guess everyone was crossing fingers - this whole part is the most speculative, but also the least important

none of these information came to me directly from anyone in the team, bits and pieces come from various insiders and i've put it all together, we are in agreement on conclusions - if the problem is well and truly solved successfully

when the information goes public, i will expand on the details

My conclusion was overly optimistic, as we've learned lately. I've overestimated the management and their confidence in their tools, I have no other explanation

The issue was spotted quickly, as one of possible reasons for a problem. As it's complex and expensive to solve, they've looked at other possible reasons, mainly trying aerodynamic updates - seemingly without success

Unfortunately, the issues spotted in Barcelona 24 and aero updates that solved them lead the team down the wrong problem-solving path. We can't know if it was possible to pin-point the apparent core issue sooner, but from what we can read - there was a lot of reluctance to commit to it

I can't say I understand why there was no commitment sooner, valuable time and races are now lost

I'll share my thoughts next week at the latest, there will be more articles from our favourite AR team

Where does your seeming confidence in the Ferrari technical department come from?

I’m just curious because you obviously understand a lot about this sport and from what I’ve observed over the past 15 years or so there isn’t really much of an indication that they are capable of putting up a real fight against the top teams from England.

There have been a few moments, but overall there is no consistency and they are mostly on the back foot either fixing their own mess or just lacking in understanding. Never very far, but never really able to build something like the W14, RB19, or the MCL38/39

[ringo]

It is said Loic Sera will be at Imola watching the cars. He's reportledly working on the new suspension to fix the rideheight issues.
Looks like the team messed up by assuming some of the SF24 windtunnel/cfd correlations would apply to the SF25. They were expecting a certain outcome on the track and it did not materialize.
This kind of shenanigans somewhat reinforces the argument that the team needs an overhaul or new culture.
If the they fix the problem and sf25 is suddenly the fastest on the grid... Ferrari would have just lost themselves a championship by defeating themselves even before the season started.

[catent]

It is said Loic Sera will be at Imola watching the cars. He's reportledly working on the new suspension to fix the rideheight issues.
Looks like the team messed up by assuming some of the SF24 windtunnel/cfd correlations would apply to the SF25. They were expecting a certain outcome on the track and it did not materialize.
This kind of shenanigans somewhat reinforces the argument that the team needs an overhaul or new culture.
If the they fix the problem and sf25 is suddenly the fastest on the grid... Ferrari would have just lost themselves a championship by defeating themselves even before the season started.

I ask this completely sincerely:

Prior to Lewis Hamilton's arrival at Ferrari, did you have any familiarity with, and/or had you performed research regarding Ferrari's leadership structure and technical team?

I frequented the 2023 and particularly the 2024 Ferrari team and technical threads, and I cannot recall seeing you participating in those conversations/dialogues with any regularity. Yet you offer constant speculation (rooted in often questionable assumptions, posed as statements of fact) regarding Ferrari's issues and missteps, and seem to suggest that their errors in developing the SF-25 were obviously avoidable and that these mistakes should lead to personnel changes (or that they should've changed personnel prior to this happening).

Do you know how many engineers have cycled through Ferrari since 2023? Are you familiar with some of the longtime engineering staff who didn't mesh with Vasseur and are no longer with the team? Are you familiar with any of the new personnel who have been hired? One can rattle off the names of 10+ new engineers who've been hired since Vasseur took over as TP.

Had Charles Leclerc landed at Mercedes, and a flock of Ferrari fans with little-to-no familiarity about Mercedes' F1 team rocked up and began claiming to have all the answers for a struggling team they'd had an interest in supporting for no more than six total race weekends, it'd very likely come across as unbecoming (among other things).