Federica Cimarosti, a veteran Ferrari aerodynamics engineer since 2006, explains the unique characteristics of the Hungaroring circuit and how the Ferrari SF-25 has been prepared for the challenge. With only one short straight, the key to success lies in achieving high cornering speeds through many low and medium-speed turns. Equally important is carefully managing airflow to ensure optimal cooling for both the engine and brakes.
The Hungaroring circuit is well-known for its tight and twisty layout, featuring very few high-speed sections. How do these traits influence the aerodynamic setup of the Ferrari SF-25, and what are the main compromises the team must face on such a track?
Federica Cimarosti, originally from Magnago in the Friuli region and a mother of two children, has been part of Ferrari’s Maranello technical team since 2006. She has held various roles within the aerodynamic department, starting with wind tunnel testing before becoming Aerodynamic Team Leader. Within the Aero Track Group, she focused on brake cooling and tire development in the wind tunnel, and now she is tackling a new challenge aimed at maximizing the integration of Ferrari’s aerodynamic program.
What can we expect from Ferrari’s next outing?
“The Hungaroring is one of the slowest circuits on the Formula 1 calendar,” explains Federica Cimarosti. “Its combination of slow and medium-speed corners, together with very few straights, significantly impacts the aerodynamic setup of our cars. This is a race where we run with high aerodynamic loads: the cars feature larger rear wings and more aggressive angles on the front wing, aiming to maximize performance through the many corners on the track.”
“Striking the right balance between top speed and cornering performance is always critical. At the Hungaroring, the penalty from increased drag due to higher downforce is relatively low because the main straight is short and there are few full-throttle sections. This allows the team to sacrifice maximum speed in favor of greater downforce, which leads to faster lap times thanks to higher cornering speeds and improved traction exiting slow corners.”
“Increasing downforce also helps protect the tires, but an overly aggressive aerodynamic setup can accelerate tire degradation during a stint. That’s why mechanical grip and tire management are equally important factors on this track.”
Balancing Cooling Needs and Aerodynamic Efficiency in Budapest’s Heat
The high asphalt temperatures combined with short straights make cooling management a critical challenge in Budapest. How does Ferrari balance the need for adequate cooling with the goal of minimizing aerodynamic drag in these demanding conditions?
“Again, it’s all about finding the right compromise between cooling requirements and aerodynamic efficiency, essentially balancing reliability with performance. The SF-25 has been designed with several cooling configurations intended to cover a wide range of needs while keeping the engine and brakes within safe temperature limits at the lowest aerodynamic cost possible. This cost primarily comes from increased drag caused by more aggressive cooling setups.”
“Each cooling level is achieved using a series of specific and modular components both at the air intake side—such as sidepod inlets and brake cooling ducts—and at the exhaust side, including louvres, engine cover openings, and chimneys. Each of these elements can be partially opened or closed depending on the operating conditions. Finally, at the Hungaroring, the aerodynamic penalty caused by increased drag is less severe compared to other circuits, precisely because of the absence of long straights where top speed matters most.”
This detailed approach to aerodynamics and cooling optimization underlines Ferrari’s careful preparation of the SF-25 to meet the unique challenges posed by the Hungarian Grand Prix, emphasizing how balancing downforce and cooling is critical to achieving competitive lap times on a demanding and technical circuit.
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