The biggest gain for the Ferrari SF-25 might not be tied to its design choices. The new technical director, Loïc Serra, who joined the team in October, brings invaluable expertise in tire management, a crucial asset for the Scuderia. Although the Frenchman arrived from Mercedes in Maranello after the main design decisions for the 2025 car had already been finalized, his insights will help extract more performance from fresh tires through setup choices and driver guidance.
The potential of tires
“Every single detail matters,” says Loic Serra, emphasizing that in today’s highly competitive Formula 1, even the smallest aspects can make a difference. “If we look at last season’s field, the car ahead of us was about 30 milliseconds faster, which could mean an extra position on the starting grid. Every millisecond we gain—whether through aerodynamics, suspension, or tire management—counts.”
Ferrari still has untapped potential in tire performance. The 2024 car was particularly strong in race pace, thanks in part to an aerodynamic concept optimized to work efficiently with a full fuel load, where weight influences ride heights and oscillations. The SF-24 was also gentle on tire degradation but struggled to maximize tire performance in qualifying and out-laps after pit stops due to difficulties in warming up the tires and balancing front and rear temperatures.
For Loic Serra, race tire management remains a priority, but better tire utilization could also secure crucial grid positions. “In race pace, tire management is one of the strengths we want to maintain and improve. However, if you can extract a bit more performance on the first lap, you take it. As I said, 30 milliseconds can be worth a position, and that’s not much. Over a single lap, tires can offer much more. A lot of work is being done in this area, and we hope it will pay off. However, these are relative gains, which also depend on what the others do.” – the French engineer pointed out.
Loic Serra’s contribution
“Tire management is closely linked to both the car itself and how the human element interacts with it,” explains the technical director. “It’s a fascinating mix of both areas.” Even though the SF-25’s design was already set before his arrival, Serra’s expertise in tire performance will be valuable throughout 2025, optimizing the car’s management both in the garage and on track. “Whether it’s long-distance management or extracting more performance over a single lap, tire work is an ongoing process. We are constantly learning, and the more we understand, the more we can transfer this knowledge into car design, setup choices, and even driver technique,” Serra concludes.
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