Ferrari weighing floor height risks: can SF-25 afford to go lower?

Just one day until the cars will hit the track and begin preparations for the Miami Grand Prix, a technical F1 scenario where Ferrari will try to give its best. It will do so while still dealing with the usual problems that, unfortunately, will persist until the SF-25 car is corrected with updates. The first aerodynamic upgrade package is expected, this is true. In the meantime, however, Florida arrives, where putting together a good performance is mandatory to once again limit the damage against McLaren, Mercedes and Red Bull.

The usual useless press release
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur appeared fairly calm in the usual press release that precedes the races. Few words, where the unusual livery of the Italian car is also commented on. A move that stems from the partnership with Hewlett-Packard, the main sponsor of the historic Italian team, which we will discuss later. As for the rest, the always cheerful Fred Vasseur, in mentioning the anniversary of the HP collaboration, also had a comments words about the track.

The French manager thus spoke about the necessary preparation, tied to the efficiency of the working group, which will need to be at its maximum given the second race weekend of the 2025 Formula 1 season with the sprint format. It is about continuing on the path of progress started at the Bahrain International Circuit, where some encouraging signs were seen. The usual boilerplate statements that mean everything or nothing. At this point, however, there is an interesting topic to evaluate.

GP Miami 2025, Ferrari’s goals
Ferrari has worked a lot on the simulator over the past week. It did so to find the right setup for the Miami Grand Prix. As we know, the ideal operating window is short and, considering the current technical level of the Italian car, optimizing all the different types of corners in a layout proves to be quite a difficult task. There is nothing new to say, unfortunately, when these are the characteristics of a car.

Still, the hope of doing well remains. There are circuits where the SF-25 can perform better, and Miami might be one of them compared to others. Thinking of getting into the fight at the top is unfortunately not possible. Challenging the impressive McLaren MCL39 cars is an unrealistic goal. The best result that can be hoped for is a podium, specifically, only third place, since the top two steps will be monopolized by the MCL39 cars if they don’t make mistakes.

Then there is the matter of the Sprint Race. A weekend, therefore, where getting the car’s setup right on Friday can offer a significant advantage. Let’s recall what happened in the Chinese Grand Prix, where Lewis Hamilton, in addition to taking pole position, brought home the only seasonal win for the Prancing Horse. A joy wiped away by the Sunday double zero points finish due to the disqualification of both Ferrari drivers.

Does lowering the car make sense as a risk?
Can Ferrari dare once again? We know that the Maranello team is not able to use the aggressive floor ride height planned in the project. If they try, the car scrapes the floor and the plank wears down too much. A situation that, indeed, occurred at Suzuka. With that in mind, could the red team run lower in the first qualifying and subsequent 100 kilometer sprint race? More specifically for the Ferrari engineers and technicians to lower the car to go faster.

The aerodynamic load would be higher and would allow the Italian car to increase its minimum speeds through medium-fast corners. Would doing it make sense? It would mean disputing the first part of the Miami weekend extracting more performance, only to then be forced to go back, raise the car, and consequently go slower. In terms of results and points, it might even work as a concept.

Even if it would mean raising fan expectations only to be confronted with the harsh reality between Saturday and Sunday. It remains to be seen how Ferrari intends to approach this weekend on a technical level, recalling Frederic Vasseur’s words after China. The Frenchman did not rule out that Ferrari might take risks again on the topic of ride heights. Pushing the limits. The American setting could be one of those times.