Earlier today, Scuderia Ferrari has posted videos and photos on its social channels revealing the racing suits of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc for the 2025 Formula 1 season. The video’s title, “Entering the 16 44 era,” is evocative, showing the Maranello drivers in racing gear that previews the livery color of the SF-25 single-seater, which will only be unveiled during the February 18 evening event in London.
The shade of red has changed, becoming darker compared to what was seen in Lewis Hamilton’s outfit during his debut at the Fiorano circuit with the SF-23 car. The reappearance of white replaces the yellow used in the 2024 Formula 1 championship. Previously, the yellow stripe was on the side of the car; now, it is on the chest, while the stripe on the legs is wider and stops at the knee instead of running along the sides up to the chest.
The most striking detail is the white band on the torso, bordered on one side by the driver’s national flag (British for Lewis Hamilton and Monegasque for Charles Leclerc) and their name on the other.
Ferrari appears more packed with sponsors than ever before, and achieving a balanced graphic design that respects the value of its partners and logos must have been a challenge.
The most significant hint from the suit color is that the SF-25 will also feature a darker red shade with matte, not glossy, bodywork. This choice stems from an intriguing technical reason: it is not true that painting can be done without a clear coat, but a matte surface is not as smooth as a glossy one.
Why, then, is a slightly rough bodywork better? The reason is aerodynamic: a glossy surface creates greater contact with the airflow, whereas the roughness reduces it, ensuring a slight decrease in drag.
The Scuderia is preparing for the final championship of ground-effect cars, focusing on every detail to provide Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc with a competitive car capable of fighting for both championships.
— see video above —
