Ferrari has been facing significantly greater challenges managing brake temperatures compared to its rivals. There is a clear reason behind the persistent issues of the SF-25, which became evident during the Singapore Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton experienced a brake problem that eventually prevented him from braking effectively, raising the question: why does Ferrari struggle so much more than its competitors when it comes to brake temperature management?
The week following the Marina Bay Grand Prix sparked multiple debates. Reports suggest a tense atmosphere within the team, with clashes between team principal Fred Vasseur and technical director Mauro Tonignalli. Charles Leclerc is also involved, potentially frustrated by accusations regarding the SF-25’s design flaws. Hamilton has tried to prod engineers and defend the team from media criticism, but it has not been enough. The final six races could become particularly challenging if these performance issues continue. The SF-25 is a car with fundamental design limitations, and the high brake temperatures are a symptom of a deeper problem.
Ferrari and the challenge of managing brake temperatures
“The car was designed with a lower level of downforce compared to rivals. The closer you are to the ground, the more downforce you gain. Even McLaren would gain half a second by running very low, but it would be risky, and the same applies to Mercedes and the other teams. Ferrari’s low ride height is not due to a mistake but stems from design shortcomings. The issue with the brake air intakes is completely true—I have seen it personally on track. That’s why Ferrari uses lift and coast. When I asked why they don’t change it, they said it would reduce aerodynamic efficiency,” explained Matteo Bobbi on Race Anatomy.
Ferrari tries to compensate for the missing downforce from the floor by generating heat in the brake ducts. However, this strategy becomes a problem during races, especially in high-temperature conditions.
Additionally, Giuliano Duchessa from AutoRacer.it noted that “cooling management has not improved, to the point of destabilizing the cars. While increasing brake cooling would not be impossible, the front-end design may limit airflow above certain speeds. So far, no definitive solution has been found, also because the car has not been tested in a wind tunnel for some time.” Ferrari attempted to address this by modifying the wheel corner ducts in Baku to improve extraction, but a more radical redesign may be needed. And these challenges extend beyond just the car itself…
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