Ferrari focuses on rear stability, McLaren favors efficiency | F1 Austin GP downforce comparison. Ferrari focuses on rear stability for the SF-25 in Austin.

The Maranello team balances the load

For the Austin weekend, Ferrari uses a medium-high downforce specification, in line with expectations outlined in our usual Ferrari preview. This setup has already been tested in several races this season, including the Hungarian Grand Prix, the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, and last weekend in Singapore.

It is a specification proven to provide solid vertical grip while maintaining competitive top speeds on high-speed sections. Although Austin is a completely different circuit compared to Marina Bay in Asia, the Italian team applies the same specification but with different downforce levels installed for this track.

All Formula 1 cars allow for various wing adjustments to tune downforce. By adopting this setup, the SF-25 aims to optimize rear stability, an area that caused issues in the previous championship. This is particularly important in sector one, where fast corners demand high lateral grip. Ferrari is confident that it can match rivals’ top speeds along the long straight of sector two.

Red Bull aligns with Ferrari, McLaren chooses lower downforce

Red Bull has made a similar choice, using the same specification previously seen in Barcelona and later at the Dutch Grand Prix. These were tracks dominated by McLaren, which is why we expect two very strong MCL39 cars. The papaya-colored cars adopt the setup that performed exceptionally well at Zandvoort.

Qualitatively, this specification produces less rear downforce. Therefore, the McLaren team, led on track by Andrea Stella, aims to maximize aerodynamic efficiency while allowing higher top speeds in sector two. The main wing profile is designed to unload the wing tips to increase efficiency.

Austin features a variety of characteristics that should favor the English team, given the car’s versatility and wide operating window. It will be interesting to see the battle at the front between McLaren’s drivers, especially since Oscar Piastri, despite accepting apologies from Lando Norris, appears determined to adopt a more assertive approach behind the wheel moving forward.

Mercedes follows a familiar path

The W16 made noticeable progress after the summer break, though it only emerged prominently during the last weekend in Singapore. Thanks to extensive development, Mercedes has expanded the car’s operating window and believes it can perform well on circuits with higher temperatures, reducing the W16’s sensitivity to environmental conditions.

Austin will serve as a good testing ground. The tires undergo high lateral stress and heat up significantly during the lap, making thermal management crucial. The rear specification chosen by Mercedes is the same as the one used in Marina Bay. While this setup provided slightly lower downforce than rivals in Singapore, here it aligns with the track’s downforce requirements.