Ferrari’s strategic strikes to bolster its workforce have been evident with the recruitment of key figures from Mercedes, and one among these new hires has already made a big influence on the event of the 2025 F1 automobile.
On Wednesday, Ferrari revealed their new SF-25 automobile, unveiling it throughout a shakedown session on the Fiorano circuit. Charles Leclerc was the primary to take the automobile out for a spin in what marked a filming day for the workforce. The automobile showcased Ferrari’s new livery, which encompasses a darker crimson tone, setting the SF-25 other than its predecessors. This marks the start of Lewis Hamilton’s tenure with Ferrari, a big second in his profession after leaving Mercedes for a two-year contract. The 40-year-old appears rejuvenated in his new crimson apparel, a stark distinction to his latest years with Mercedes.
Whereas Hamilton’s transfer from Mercedes to Ferrari was the headline, Ferrari additionally made one other key acquisition: Loic Serra, Mercedes’ former efficiency director, who joined the Scuderia as chassis technical director. Serra’s appointment got here after Enrico Cardile left Ferrari to affix Aston Martin. The arrival of the French engineer has already influenced the design and setup of the SF-25, together with his influence notably felt in how the automobile manages its Pirelli tyres.
Serra is well-known for his calm and methodical method to automobile efficiency, and his affect has been clear since his arrival in Maranello. Whereas the SF-25 was already beneath improvement when Serra joined, Auto Racer has reported that he rapidly recognized areas to enhance the automobile’s interplay with the brand new Pirelli tyre compounds for the 2025 season. This alteration, coupled together with his experience, is predicted to make the SF-25 extra adaptable to the drivers’ wants, particularly when it comes to tyre administration.
Along with Loic Serra’s enter, Ferrari has centered on enhancing the automobile’s dealing with to raised go well with each Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, with explicit consideration given to how the entrance axle performs throughout nook entry. The workforce has labored to create a broader operational window for the SF-25 single-seater in comparison with its predecessor, the SF-24.
For the 2025 season, Pirelli is introducing new tyre compounds, together with the C6, a super-soft compound set for use at particular road circuits like Monaco, Canada, Singapore, and Las Vegas. Groups had their first style of the C6 in the course of the post-season take a look at in Abu Dhabi in December, however the compound struggled to finish even a single lap of the Yas Marina Circuit with out dropping grip. Regardless of these challenges, The Maranello workforce can be hopeful that Serra’s modifications will assist the SF-25 take full benefit of the brand new tyre know-how.
With pre-season testing scheduled for Bahrain on February 26-28 and the season opener on the Australian Grand Prix on March 16, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc can be hoping that Ferrari’s changes—notably to the Pirelli tyres—will show profitable and put them on observe for a aggressive 2025 season.