Ferrari is trying to push the accelerator with the new floor for it’s 2025 single-seater. The need to innovate in Formula 1 is crucial, especially when the gap to close is significant. As we know, the Maranello team was unable to optimize the performance of the SF-25 in Australia. In wet conditions at the Albert Park circuit, in fact, all the limitations of the setup became clear. For the second round of the 2025 Formula 1 championship, the Chinese Grand Prix, a step forward was made, but it seems that problems still persisted at the 5.451-kilometre Shanghai International Circuit.
We discussed this a few days ago. Thanks to data collected on the Asian track, not corrupted by the difficult environmental conditions in Australia, Ferrari was able to update the simulator with real-world information. This move was quite useful, especially regarding performance with a high fuel load over the 300-kilometer distance. Otherwise, there was still a need to take a step forward in understanding the interaction of the elements.
We are referring to the correlation at the rear of the car between the pull-rod suspension and aerodynamics. Furthermore, the peak load at the rear has often caused instability, a situation that needs to be addressed with updates to the floor to smooth out the vertical load generated along the floor and, in turn, generate consistent downforce that can stabilize the aerodynamic platform.
The Prancing Horse must necessarily widen the setup window. We know the huge performance difference this move can bring. It is a factor closely related to the “lap construction” to maximize the car’s performance in all areas of the track. Suzuka is an old-school circuit. A real track where even the slightest mistake can weigh heavily on the weekend’s outcome.
The Ferrari engineers and technicians have decided to bring forward the first aerodynamic update package to Bahrain, the fourth round of the 2024 Formula 1 season. However, to address the aforementioned issues, the technical team led by Loic Serra is trying to bring something to Suzuka as well. Specifically, we are talking about the car’s floor, a key component for managing aerodynamic load.
According to the information reported by various Italian news media outlets, the Maranello team is still working hard to succeed in this, a particularly complicated task. It is worth remembering that in Formula 1 there are procedures that cannot be expedited, as the risk of making an error and creating a misleading update is always lurking.
Just remember the floor introduced by Ferrari last year at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona. There are a couple of options under evaluation. The first involves a true update, which should appear in the FIA’s official documents known as “Car Presentation.” This update would modify the management of the fluid mass passing through the SF-25 car, aiming to unify the load on the floor and stabilize the downforce.
The alternative, however, involves small corrections to already homologated elements of the floor. These are “adjustments” that are not required to appear in the official documentation from the governing body. A move that would allow Ferrari to gain some advantage while waiting for the actual development in Bahrain. McLaren itself, during the 2024 Formula 1 season, had carried out a similar operation, by “adjusting” the floor in the diffuser area.
Given the tight timelines, the Italian F1 team has set a deadline for tomorrow, when a final decision will be made regarding the next steps. All of this, keeping in mind that the potential modified floor could be just one, or two if time allows. We will have to wait to see what happens in the coming hours, as the Italian team is pushing as hard as it can.
— see video above —
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