After securing second place within the Constructors’ Championship, simply 14 factors behind McLaren, Ferrari is aiming for each world titles in 2025. With Lewis Hamilton becoming a member of the staff alongside the retained Charles Leclerc, the Scuderia feels able to problem the opposite three high groups in a technical contest that may even mark the final season for ground-effect automobiles earlier than the revolutionary 2026 laws introduce extra agile automobiles.
Frederic Vasseur has admitted that the 677 won’t share even 1% with the SF-24, which ended the 2024 season with 5 victories: “I belief the undertaking we’re engaged on. It is going to be one other intense problem just like the one which simply concluded. We noticed this yr that with 4 groups combating for poles and wins, the small print make the distinction: observe circumstances, temperatures, tires, and method. I’m very pleased with how we dealt with difficulties this yr, however we have to take an extra step towards consistency.”
It was anticipated that, with engineers specializing in growing the 2026 automobiles from January 1—ushering in a clear break from the present period—the ultimate season of ground-effect automobiles would see solely advanced variations, maybe enhanced, of the 2024 fashions.
Ferrari’s daring choice to utterly redesign its automotive, as an alternative of merely refreshing it, appears to have additionally been pursued by McLaren, Purple Bull, and Mercedes. If this units the tone for 2025, we could possibly be in for an thrilling championship. The SF-24 doubtless reached the tip of its growth potential, whereas the brand new automotive begins nearly from scratch with a brand new chassis, a pull-rod entrance suspension, and a shorter gearbox that facilitates a pull-rod rear suspension aimed toward enhancing traction and making the automotive extra aggressive in qualifying.
Andrea Stella, talking at Autosprint’s Helmet Awards, revealed that McLaren has adopted the same method: “We took dangers in our design selections. The method to subsequent season can be daring as a result of we goal for innovation. Over the summer season, as we started engaged on the 2025 automotive, we determined we wanted to make a big leap ahead if we goal to struggle for the drivers’ title. We’d wish to make the championship a bit much less shut, perhaps not as tight as this yr. However I believe the battle will nonetheless be thrilling, with 4 groups in rivalry.”
Andrea Stella’s remarks naturally embody Purple Bull and Mercedes. Christian Horner, Purple Bull’s staff principal, talked about an RB21 set to debut forward of some opponents. This would be the first automotive because the RB2 with none enter from Adrian Newey, who has moved to Aston Martin.
The brand new automotive ought to have fewer design points than the RB20, which misplaced its technical edge to McLaren and was challenged by Ferrari. Pierre Waché’s staff is working exhausting to resolve the issues that affected the Milton Keynes squad within the second half of the season. Some progress was evident with Max Verstappen’s two victories within the closing 4 races. The four-time world champion had clearly acknowledged that whereas the problems with the RB20 had been recognized, they required a brand new automotive to be totally addressed.
Those that imagine Adrian Newey’s departure marks the tip of Purple Bull’s technical dominance may must rethink, no less than for 2025. Enrico Balbo, Purple Bull’s Italian head of aerodynamics, will implement a much less excessive energy unit cooling system than this yr’s four-stage setup, leading to a automotive that breaks away from the RB20 lineage. The objective is to safe Verstappen’s fifth consecutive world title, proving that Purple Bull can stay resilient regardless of the extraordinary controversies and challenges confronted in 2024, which included heavy criticism directed at Christian Horner.
And Mercedes? They’re relying on Simone Resta, referred to as in by technical director James Allison to set issues proper after the W15 solely carried out effectively in particular circumstances. The Imola-born engineer reunites with the English director, who had beforehand admired his work at Ferrari. It’s doubtless the Silver Arrow may have a brand new look, regardless of Resta initially being assigned to the 2026 automotive undertaking. Loic Serra’s departure to Ferrari could have shifted some priorities, however Brackley can also be betting on a paradigm shift. Which staff may have made the best selections?
Andrea Stella has prophetically remarked that he wish to make the championship extra… boring, with a extra pronounced dominance from the papaya automobiles than what was achieved this yr. Nevertheless, the opposite three staff principals disagree. Even Ferrari president John Elkann expects the Scuderia to enhance on their second-place Constructors’ end, misplaced by simply 14 factors. The race seems extensive open…
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