The question many Ferrari fans are asking these weeks—after seeing the team struggle in the first third of the current Formula 1 season—is: when will significant updates arrive that could actually make the SF-25 more competitive?
Race after race, Ferrari has only introduced a few minor updates, but never the much-anticipated package that, in fans’ minds, should transform the car from a Cinderella into a real contender capable of at least challenging the McLaren MCL39s of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.
That wait will almost certainly extend by a few more weeks. When Lewis Hamilton was asked at the end of yesterday’s Monaco Grand Prix about the arrival of new parts at the Spanish GP, the seven-time world champion was terse: “Not that I know of.”
In reality, a new component will arrive at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, but as Motorsport.com had already reported on May 13, this will be limited to the front wing, specifically designed to comply with the new FIA parameters for wing flex tests.
It was none other than team principal Frédéric Vasseur who confirmed Ferrari’s sole upgrade at Montmeló. Pressed by Sky Sport F1, the French manager confirmed that in Spain the SF-25 will receive just one update, aimed at complying with the FIA’s new control systems.
“We’ll bring a new wing like all the other teams. And I think it makes sense to bring only the new wing to have a clearer picture of how it works.”
In short, the new wing will be the focus next weekend. A single part, certainly important, which will need to be analyzed to understand how it affects the airflow vortices throughout the rest of the car. The much-anticipated full upgrade package is expected to arrive next month.
Meanwhile, Fred Vasseur remains confident that between Imola and Monaco, Ferrari has made significant progress both in high-speed and low-speed corners. Barcelona, as we know, is a true proving ground for F1 cars: if a car is quick at the Catalan track, it is almost certain to perform well at most other circuits too.
“It’s true that from Spain a new regulation for the front wing comes into force, and all teams will be required to bring updates in that regard. Everyone has marked that race on the calendar as a turning point. We don’t really know if anything will change in the competitive order. We have to focus on ourselves to improve in every type of corner. We’ve made good progress in high-speed corners and also here in low-speed ones. Now we’ll try to confirm everything in Spain.” – the Ferrari team principal concluded.
