Following the encouraging statements recently made by Scuderia Ferrari Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur, a spokesperson from Ferrari’s aerodynamics department has provided additional insight into the technical challenges the team faces in preparing for the upcoming Hungarian Grand Prix. After wrapping up the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, Formula 1 moves quickly to Budapest for the fourteenth round of the 2025 season. The Hungaroring presents a dramatically different technical profile compared to the fast and flowing layout of Spa, prompting Ferrari to explain the factors influencing their setup approach for this critical weekend.
The Hungarian circuit is defined by a series of medium- and low-speed corners. While the track includes two DRS zones—one on the main straight and another in the short section between Turns 1 and 2—it is otherwise composed of tight, twisty corners that test mechanical grip and aerodynamic stability. The straights are relatively short, which reduces the emphasis on top speed and places more importance on traction and cornering efficiency.
Federica Cimarosti, a member of Ferrari’s aerodynamics department, shed light on how the team is preparing the SF-25 for the unique demands of the Hungaroring. She explained that the Budapest track is one of the slowest on the Formula 1 calendar in terms of average speed, and as such, requires a high-downforce aerodynamic setup. This means that generating sufficient downforce to improve cornering speed takes precedence over minimizing aerodynamic drag.
Federica Cimarosti noted that one of the key technical considerations is finding the right balance between top speed and cornering performance. At the Hungaroring, the time loss caused by increased drag from a high-downforce setup is relatively small, due to the track’s short straights and limited number of flat-out sections. Therefore, teams like Ferrari can afford to prioritize cornering grip without suffering too much in terms of straight-line speed.
The need for balance and compromise
Because of the layout of the Hungarian circuit, teams often choose to sacrifice some top speed in exchange for a car that is more agile and responsive through the numerous changes of direction. However, Federica Cimarosti offered an important warning: opting for an overly aggressive aerodynamic setup can accelerate tyre degradation over the course of a race stint. This makes tyre management and mechanical grip equally crucial to overall race performance.
She elaborated on the importance of striking the right balance:
“A setup that leans too far toward maximum aerodynamic grip can lead to higher thermal loads on the tyres, causing faster wear. That’s why mechanical grip and tyre management play a central role in the car’s race performance. Ultimately, the goal is to find the ideal compromise between cooling efficiency and aerodynamic performance, which essentially means balancing reliability and outright speed.”
Federica Cimarosti also explained how Ferrari engineers work to tailor the car’s cooling capacity to match the specific demands of each Grand Prix weekend. Every level of cooling is achieved using a combination of modular, adjustable components, both at the intake and exhaust ends of the system. This includes sidepod inlets, brake cooling ducts, louvered vents, engine cover openings, and vertical chimneys. Each of these elements can be partially opened or closed depending on the operating conditions and external temperatures expected during the race.
This flexibility allows Ferrari to adapt the SF-25’s cooling system in real time to manage engine temperatures, brake wear, and general thermal loads without compromising the car’s aerodynamic efficiency. Achieving the perfect balance between thermal management and aerodynamic load will be key to Ferrari’s competitiveness at the Hungarian Grand Prix—a race that often rewards precision, consistency, and strategic setup choices more than outright speed.
As the team prepares for the last race before the summer break, all eyes will be on how effectively Ferrari can solve this setup puzzle and extract maximum performance from the SF-25 on one of the most technically demanding circuits of the year.
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