The first major updates for the SF-25 are ready: a new floor will debut at the Bahrain GP, but it might not be sufficient. After a disappointing start to the season, Ferrari needs to bounce back quickly. There is still confidence within the team, but also a new awareness: to win, they must rapidly catch up with the blisteringly fast McLaren.
The first two rounds of the championship have not rewarded Ferrari’s winter efforts. Finishing on the edge of the points in Australia, then disqualified (with both cars) in China. In between, the spectacular Sprint Race in Shanghai, where Lewis Hamilton enjoyed an SF-25 that was as fast and competitive as promised at the start of the season—yet still hindered by setup challenges.
While Frédéric Vasseur is convinced that the numbers don’t lie and that the car has title-winning potential, time is ticking. The Japanese Grand Prix will kick off the first triple-header of the season, taking the Circus to Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Three races where Ferrari must try to close—or at least not widen—the 61-point gap to McLaren.
New floor, new hopes: the SF-25 in Sakhir spec
In recent days, there has already been talk of Ferrari’s first planned update package. Since it was ready, there were suspicions it might be introduced as early as Suzuka, at least in part, to immediately inject life into the SF-25. However, Fred Vasseur’s team has seemingly chosen not to rush things and to stick to the planned schedule, which called for the new floor to debut in Bahrain instead.
According to Corriere della Sera, the entire package will be on the car in Sakhir, the fourth round of the season. These updates have been in development for some time, but they do not directly address the car’s main issues. There may be improvements in ride height management, but a more targeted fix will likely still be needed.
SF-25: rear-end issues, Bahrain just the first step
Already in Australia, concerns were raised about possible rear suspension problems on the SF-25, leading to difficulties in managing skid block wear. The car’s downforce pushes it to the ground, creating additional rear squat that the suspension struggles to handle.
A specific fix for this type of issue takes time. The new Bahrain floor may help, but if the car’s problems are structural, its impact will be limited. Loic Serra’s work, now fully operational in Maranello, is more crucial than ever.
