F1, Ferrari: why the Maranello engineers avoided the higher downforce rear wing in Azerbaijan. Ferrari struggled in Baku after choosing a low-downforce rear wing for the SF-25.

F1, Ferrari’s risky low-downforce choice in Baku backfires

Ferrari’s decision to run an extreme low-downforce setup did not pay off for the SF-25. With two different rear wing specifications available, the team took a gamble on the lighter configuration. But was it really the right decision?

The Baku weekend turned out to be a difficult one for Ferrari, which finished the race only in eighth and ninth position. This came after promising free practice sessions, where the SF-25 had looked competitive through the twists of the high-speed street circuit. However, free practice sessions are rarely representative, as they are used for testing by the teams and often run in conditions quite different from the race itself.

On Friday, the program focused on a back-to-back comparison between two rear wing versions: a higher downforce spec and a trimmed, lower downforce version. Specifically, the higher downforce wing was the one already used in Spa, while the lighter configuration featured the same main plane but with cut-outs around the DRS flap to boost top speed.

After analyzing the three practice sessions, the team decided to adopt the low-downforce version for both qualifying and the race, considering it the most efficient option. The choice was likely driven by the desire to maximize straight-line speed, making it easier to overtake and defend, while relying on track grip to make up for the reduced downforce in the corners.

Did the weather ruin Ferrari’s weekend?

For qualifying and the race, Ferrari expected different weather conditions. Heavy rain on the night between Friday and Saturday washed the track clean, and with temperatures dropping significantly, the team’s plans fell apart.

The combination of cooler temperatures and the low-downforce setup created balance problems for the SF-25 in the corners, preventing the car from fighting at the front. The difficult qualifying session then heavily influenced the outcome of the race itself.

Why didn’t Ferrari choose the higher downforce wing?

As mentioned, the weather and qualifying setbacks derailed Ferrari’s approach, but realistically there were no easy alternatives to improve the car’s performance.

Running the higher downforce wing might have been an option, but it would probably not have produced real benefits. With more drag, the SF-25 would have been vulnerable on the straights. However, the true reason behind Ferrari’s caution may lie elsewhere.

A higher downforce wing would have increased vertical load, pressing the car harder onto the straights and risking excessive wear on the plank. Since the beginning of the season, Ferrari has struggled with ride height management to avoid excessive floor wear. The disqualification suffered in China for excessive plank wear undoubtedly pushed the team toward a more conservative stance.

The SF-25 continues to expose its limitations, which now appear well defined. With only a handful of races left in the season, the real risk for Ferrari is ending the championship without a single victory.