Neither suspension nor gearbox: F1 expert points to the “real problem” of Ferrari SF-25. Ferrari brings the first updates to the F1 Bahrain GP.

According to Matteo Bobbi, Ferrari’s SF-25 suspension is not the real issue with the F1 car. The Sky Sport F1 expert, analyzing what happened on track during Free Practice, has a very different idea. A good piece of news, in a way, because it could imply a solution that is closer, though no less complex. Meanwhile, McLaren remains at the top of the class.

With Friday in Bahrain concluded, it’s time to draw the first conclusions. The first test session revealed little about the performance of the cars: the high temperatures made an already dirty track even more slippery, making the cars nearly undrivable. The more reliable session was the one at 17:00, which confirmed the performance of the MCL39, while the SF-25 is still searching for the right balance.

It will take more time to give a final judgment on the updates brought to the track by the Maranello team — analyzed here by our team of technicians — with the certainty that these are not corrective measures, but rather a package that had already been approved some time ago. In the meantime, new hypotheses are emerging about the potential issues affecting the Prancing Horse’s car: Matteo Bobbi points to aerodynamics.

Ferrari, with the SF-25 a working window that’s too narrow

The Sky Sport Tech Room expert explained Ferrari’s difficulties while in the pit lane during Free Practice 2: “McLaren also touches the ground a lot and will have to adapt, because the skid plate wears down for everyone and the FIA is strict. What changes from car to car is the aerodynamic map: not all cars react the same way when raised from the ground.”

“Everyone loses something, but not everyone loses the same amount of downforce. Imagine, for example, 100 points of downforce when the car is close to the ground: raising the car by one millimeter, some lose just a few points, others lose 10 or 15. That’s the problem Ferrari has right now — its aerodynamic map is too narrow.”

“Imagine a triangle: the SF-25 only works well at the tip, while the McLaren performs well even when it’s not at the peak. It’s not about the suspension or the gearbox torsion. The problem is aerodynamic in nature, something Mercedes also experienced in the past. The solution is a new floor, but that’s easier said than done.”