Ferrari’s 2025 Formula 1 season is shaping up to be a year of reflection rather than celebration, as the Scuderia grapples with several strategic missteps over the past 18 months. What was meant to be a breakthrough campaign following the high-profile signing of Lewis Hamilton has instead turned into a cautionary tale about car development, team decisions, and driver input.
The arrival of the seven-time world champion was expected to be the spark that could finally bring Ferrari its first drivers’ championship since 2008. Yet, as the season draws to a close, it appears that Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton will likely finish fifth and sixth in the standings, respectively. The team will need considerable luck to secure their first Grand Prix victory of the year, as structural issues with the SF-25 have repeatedly hampered performance.
Despite the challenges, Charles Leclerc has delivered all seven of Ferrari’s podium finishes in 2025, proving his consistency and adaptability. However, from as early as the Chinese Grand Prix, it became evident that the SF-25 suffered from fundamental design flaws, particularly regarding ride height, aerodynamics, and suspension balance.
Fred Vasseur under scrutiny for critical decisions in 2025
Team principal Fred Vasseur has overseen a number of pivotal choices during the campaign, some of which may have inadvertently exacerbated the SF-25’s shortcomings. One of the most controversial decisions involved a mid-season rear suspension update, reportedly costing the team £2.2 million. According to reports from the Italian media, the update was intended to address ride height and handling issues, but it may have gone against guidance from both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.
Before the start of the season, Ferrari described the SF-25 as a “completely new car,” following a significant shift from a push-rod to a pull-rod front suspension. The rear suspension update, introduced halfway through the season, was designed to broaden the car’s operating window. However, insiders revealed that an unnamed Ferrari test driver had advised against installing the modification after conducting extensive simulations and track testing. This warning was reportedly ignored, resulting in additional delays as the team conducted further assessments to validate the driver’s concerns.
The impact of the update was limited. While the modification did widen the car’s operational range, it failed to deliver any meaningful improvement in lap times or overall competitiveness. Meanwhile, both drivers were forced to adapt their driving styles, lifting and coasting in certain sections to manage the SF-25’s unpredictable behaviour. Lewis Hamilton’s disqualification at the Chinese Grand Prix for excessive plank wear highlighted the broader consequences of the car’s design shortcomings.
Learning from 2025: Ferrari aims for smarter strategies in 2026
Ferrari are determined to avoid repeating similar mistakes in 2026, as the team begins preparations for the next generation of F1 machinery. Sources suggest that Ferrari are taking inspiration from McLaren’s approach, seeking to combine innovation with careful refinement. Under Andrea Stella’s guidance, McLaren transformed from a midfield contender to back-to-back constructors’ champions within three years, demonstrating the potential of progressive design and strategic updates.
While Ferrari starts from a more competitive platform than McLaren did during their recent rise, the Scuderia faces the challenge of making incremental improvements without destabilising the car’s core architecture. Experts note that even minor updates require precision and alignment with driver feedback, particularly when the SF-25 has shown sensitivity to setup changes and operating conditions.
Much will also depend on Ferrari’s 2026 power unit, as competition intensifies with Mercedes, Honda, Audi, and Red Bull all seeking to capitalise on the new F1 regulations. Engineers must balance performance gains with reliability, aerodynamic efficiency, and tyre management, ensuring that lessons from the troubled 2025 campaign inform both design philosophy and race strategy.
In conclusion, Ferrari’s 2025 season underscores the critical importance of aligning technical decisions with driver insight. The costly suspension update controversy serves as a reminder that even well-intentioned modifications can backfire if they are not fully supported by data and team experience. As the Scuderia looks to 2026, leveraging these lessons may be essential for returning to championship contention and restoring confidence among drivers, engineers, and fans alike.
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