The Ferrari car that Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will pilot in 2025 is set to be a radical departure from the SF-24 used during the 2024 Formula 1 season.
One of the most significant changes, long anticipated, is the shift from push-rod suspension at the front to pull-rod suspension. This modification necessitates a complete redesign of the front chassis. At the rear, the pull-rod suspension will be retained, but the kinematics of the rear will undergo further adjustments, with the gearbox expected to be shortened yet again.
Another notable alteration from the 2024 car, which finished second to McLaren in the Constructors’ Championship, involves the sidepod air inlets. These are expected to be repositioned and reduced in size to counteract air turbulence caused by the front wheels.
In 2024, Ferrari demonstrated remarkable progress, second only to McLaren. The SF-24 provided a reliable platform that aligned with the team’s aim for greater competitiveness in race conditions compared to its predecessor, the SF-23. The SF-24, while appearing as a profound evolution of the SF-23, featured extensive hidden changes. These included lengthening the fuel tank area and shortening the gearbox by approximately 5cm.
Despite maintaining the same wheelbase, Ferrari managed to adjust the car’s weight distribution within regulatory limits. This had a significant impact on load transfer management and vehicle dynamics through the suspension system. Although the suspension layout remained the same, the internal kinematics and positioning of components were revised. The results confirmed that the integration between vehicle dynamics and aerodynamics was a success.
However, this success encountered challenges when Ferrari introduced an ambitious upgrade in Spain. The primary goal of this upgrade was to enhance floor-generated downforce while simultaneously reducing drag through various wing configurations. Despite its theoretical promise, the upgrade proved to be a double-edged sword. It reintroduced porpoising, which made the car difficult to handle, reduced performance, and increased tire degradation.
The fundamental issue lay in integrating the upgrade into a platform that already excelled in dynamic balance but had limited potential for further development. The upgrade generated higher aerodynamic loads but altered how these loads were distributed across the floor, diverging from the car’s original configuration. This imbalance undermined the synergy between aerodynamics and vehicle dynamics.
A side-by-side comparison of the car’s Bahrain and Abu Dhabi configurations highlights the evolution throughout the season. Changes extended beyond the sidepod inlets and low-profile design; the central bodywork and cooling vents also underwent significant modifications.
For the season finale, Ferrari opted not to use the experimental floor tested by Charles Leclerc in Qatar at the Lusail International Circuit. Although it did not yield a decisive performance advantage, it served as a preview of the floor design intended for the 2025 car, offering a glimpse into the innovations Ferrari aims to bring into the new Formula 1 season.
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