Ferrari must decide swiftly whether to push SF-25’s development or shift focus to 2026, as early-season results will prove decisive.
Ferrari claims to have changed almost all the parts on the new SF-25.
The switch to pull-rod suspension is one of the most visible updates, aimed at creating a smoother airflow under the chassis—an essential area for aerodynamic downforce.
Now, the start of the season will be crucial for Ferrari’s development. With a major regulatory shift coming next year, it seems unlikely that the Scuderia would sacrifice 2026 by fully committing to 2025’s development.
Fred Vasseur confirms: if Ferrari needs to adjust its new car’s development, it must act fast.
“If we have to create something, we cannot react after June, for example,” Vasseur stated.
“We know production times are quite long for major parts, and by summer, we will probably all be fully focused on 2026.”
Summer, then, is the deadline to decide whether to introduce upgrades in the second half of the season. Everything will depend on Ferrari’s competitiveness, especially in the early races.
“If you look at the previous regulation change at the end of 2021, when Mercedes and Red Bull fought until the very end, they were able to bring upgrades right up to the final races,” Vasseur added.
“Even if you decide now to do this, this, and this, let’s wait a few races to see where we stand in the championship.”
“If you’re a second behind, there’s no point in continuing development. If you’re a second ahead, you can focus more on 2026. But I think both of these scenarios are highly unrealistic.”
So what does Fred Vasseur see as the most realistic scenario?
“I think we will see continuity from last year, with four teams capable of winning races and fighting for the championship. It will be a great battle.”
“What is certain is that if we need to develop the current car, it will have to happen in the very first races. After that, I’m not saying we will completely stop developing this car, but we will shift our focus more towards 2026. That means the first races and the initial upgrades we bring will be crucial for the season, and we plan to introduce improvements right from the start of the championship.”
Ferrari aims to avoid the development mistakes of 2024
Ferrari’s 2024 campaign was hampered by mid-season upgrades that failed to deliver the expected results.
To prevent a similar setback, the Scuderia boss confirms that investments have been made in the team’s tools—wind tunnel, simulator, and more—to ensure not a single hundredth of a second is lost due to outdated facilities.
“The competition is getting tighter, and we are increasingly focusing on details,” he stated.
“Today, when we introduce an upgrade, we are talking about a minimal gain. That’s why having the right tools is essential to quantify these improvements and make the right decisions. It means tools are becoming more and more crucial.”
“Additionally, car handling now has a greater impact on performance than before under the current regulations. This means the simulator has also become a key factor. I believe we have made good progress with all our tools. It’s no secret that we improved our wind tunnel last year, and we are continuously upgrading in every department.”
“But it’s not just about using the tools—it’s also about how we structure our entire development process. It’s a continuous improvement approach. There is no single day when you can say, ‘That’s it, we’ve found the perfect solution forever.’ If you don’t evolve from year to year, if you’re not constantly striving for progress, you will eventually be overtaken by others.”
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Ferrari to Act Fast: Develop or Abandon the SF-25, Says Vasseur Ferrari to Act Fast: Develop or Abandon the SF-25, Says Vasseur
