Ferrari SF-25: Presentation and First Impressions

The Scuderia Ferrari HP team unveiled the SF-25 at an event held at the O2 Arena in London, marking the beginning of its journey in the 2025 Formula 1 season. The presentation featured CEO Benedetto Vigna, team principal Fred Vasseur, and drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, along with representatives from their commercial partners. This will be the first season for Ferrari under the name Scuderia Ferrari HP, following the partnership announced with HP in mid-2024.

Design Evolution and Technical Aspects

The SF-25 maintains the naming convention used in recent models, emphasizing the regulatory stability of recent years. It is Ferrari's fourth ground-effect-based car since its introduction in 2022 but features key modifications. Among the most notable changes is the transition to a pull-rod front suspension, designed to improve aerodynamic flow and expand the car's development possibilities. This decision stems from the need to optimize every minor advantage in a season expected to be highly competitive.

Regarding the power unit, there are no technical innovations due to the regulation freeze since 2022, but Ferrari has focused its efforts on optimizing its usage. Adjustments have been made to energy management strategies to maximize performance in every race situation while ensuring high levels of reliability.

2024 Season and the Road to the SF-25

Ferrari had a competitive 2024 season, fighting for the Constructors' Championship until the final race. The team secured five victories, with Charles Leclerc winning in Monaco, Italy, and the United States, while Carlos Sainz Jr. triumphed in Australia and Mexico. Leclerc finished third in the Drivers' Championship with 356 points, while Sainz secured fifth place with 290, despite missing the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix due to appendicitis.

One of the toughest moments of the season occurred at the Canadian Grand Prix, where both drivers were eliminated in Q2 and later retired from the race due to tire issues. These results left Ferrari out of championship contention in the final round.

Driver Lineup Change

The SF-25 also marks the beginning of a new driver pairing, with the arrival of Lewis Hamilton replacing Carlos Sainz Jr.. Sainz, after leaving Ferrari, will join Williams for the 2025 season. Leclerc and Hamilton have already started working together to build a team capable of competing for both titles.

Livery and Aesthetic Elements

The SF-25 features a visual combination that merges history and modernity. A darker Racing Red matte finish was chosen, inspired by the early years of the Scuderia. A distinctive detail is the angled white stripe, along with subtle bright red and white lines, reflecting Ferrari's signature design approach. Additionally, the wheels also feature an all-red color, while the driver numbers appear in white with the official Ferrari Sans typeface.

Testing and Preseason

The car will have its first track session at Fiorano in a private session, covering up to 200 kilometers in its shakedown before being sent to Bahrain for preseason testing from February 26 to 28. The SF-25 will then make its race debut on March 16 at the Australian Grand Prix.

Team Statements

Fred Vasseur emphasized the team's effort in building the SF-25 and its determination to compete for both championships. Chassis technical director Loic Serra explained that the car has changed by 99% compared to the previous model, exploring new aerodynamic solutions to extract every fraction of a second per lap. Regarding the power unit, Enrico Gualtieri stated that strategies and processes have been refined to ensure maximum on-track consistency.

Charles Leclerc set his goal on the world title, confident in the car's foundation and the experience that Lewis Hamilton brings. Meanwhile, Hamilton expressed his enthusiasm for joining the team and working alongside Leclerc to bring Ferrari to the top.