Ferrari SF-25 just an illusion? 2025 F1 car could be a flop even with Lewis Hamilton

Ferrari SF-25 just an illusion? 2025 F1 car could be a flop even with Lewis Hamilton. No one is talking about the Ferrari SF-25: what if it turns out to be a flop? .

The question arises naturally, as we are used to winters filled with discussions about numbers, simulations, and predictions. However, 2025 feels different from previous years due to the excitement generated by Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari and the team’s social media strategy, which seems more focused on him than on the SF-25 itself.

Mysterious posts have accompanied the now-iconic Fiorano photo, further fueling the enthusiasm of the Tifosi. This excitement led the Ferrari fans to flood the Maranello team’s circuit for the debut of the seven-time world champion.

The thousands of fans in attendance were so captivated by Lewis Hamilton’s presence that they seemed unconcerned about what the new SF-25 would be like.

While the hype around Ferrari is justified, it almost feels as if the latest car designed in Maranello is automatically expected to be competitive.

It’s true that the SF-24 provided a solid foundation, having fought for the Constructors’ title until the final moments of last season. However, as team principal Fred Vasseur himself has stated, the new SF-25 will be significantly different from the 2024 car.

What if it’s slow?
The doubt is more than reasonable. In some ways, it seems taken for granted that Lewis Hamilton’s arrival means Ferrari will be the team to beat.

That’s why it’s worth remembering that signing a multiple world champion does not always lead to immediate success. Looking at Ferrari’s history, two key examples come to mind. Michael Schumacher needed several years before he had a truly competitive, title-winning Ferrari. Meanwhile, Sebastian Vettel arguably never had a Ferrari capable of winning a championship.

These may seem like basic examples, but they serve as a reminder of what truly matters. The excitement surrounding Lewis Hamilton is entirely justified, and Ferrari’s social media strategy has been spot on—but what about the SF-25?

What if the latest project from Maranello’s engineers turns out to be another failure? Would the so-called “deal of the century” still be celebrated? And what about Fred Vasseur? Would the Tifosi’s beloved “chef” still be secure in his position at Ferrari?

These are extreme questions, but they are worth asking at a time when emotions seem to be driven more by a single photo than by what ultimately matters most: the track.