Ferrari's 2025 F1 strategy: prioritizing SF-25 car while laying groundwork for 2026 project

02/14/2025 07:37 AM

With Formula 1’s sweeping 2026 regulations fast approaching, Ferrari faces a delicate balancing act: extracting maximum performance from its 2025 SF-25 challenger while simultaneously laying the groundwork for its next-generation machine, codenamed “Project 678.”

Managing this dual development path under the constraints of Formula 1's Aerodynamic Testing Restrictions (ATR) will be pivotal in determining Ferrari's competitive standing, both in the immediate future and as the sport enters a new era in 2026.

Loic Serra, Ferrari's recently appointed technical director, has devised a strategic roadmap to optimize the team's resources while ensuring a smooth transition between its 2025 and 2026 projects. A key aspect of this strategy involves the meticulous allocation of wind tunnel time to balance short-term gains with long-term innovation.

The overhaul of F1's regulations in 2026 provides an opportunity for all teams to reset their designs, yet this potential reset comes with significant challenges. Developing two competitive cars simultaneously requires a careful distribution of engineering focus and computational resources to avoid compromising either project.

Aerodynamic Testing Restrictions: The Key Variable

Ferrari's approach is heavily influenced by ATR rules, which determine wind tunnel allocation based on the previous season's Constructors' Championship results. Having secured second place in the 2024 standings, Ferrari enters 2025 with 900 hours of wind tunnel time for the first half of the year—60 more than defending champions McLaren but 60 fewer than Red Bull.

However, ATR allowances are recalculated mid-season following the Canadian Grand Prix, adjusting for the latest championship positions. This system adds an extra layer of complexity, making early-season efficiency crucial for Ferrari's development trajectory.

With a finite number of wind tunnel hours available, Ferrari's engineers must carefully weigh their priorities—maximizing the SF-25's potential while ensuring sufficient resources are devoted to the extensive challenges of the 2026 regulations.

SF-25: Ferrari's Immediate Focus

Under Serra's leadership, Ferrari is dedicating the majority of its early 2025 development efforts to the SF-25. According to a report from Autoracer.it, the team plans to concentrate its wind tunnel sessions primarily on refining the SF-25 for at least the first four months of the season.

This decision stems from the significant design shift between the SF-24 and SF-25, leaving Ferrari with minimal comparative data. Understanding the SF-25's aerodynamics will require substantial wind tunnel testing before the team can confidently shift focus to the next project.

Compounding the challenge is a new FIA technical directive set to be enforced by the Spanish Grand Prix, aimed at further restricting flexible wing designs. Adapting to this regulation will demand additional testing and aerodynamic refinements, further consuming Ferrari's allotted wind tunnel hours.

Of the 900 wind tunnel hours available in the first half of 2025, approximately two-thirds are being allocated to the SF-25. This includes 180 hours dedicated to high-speed testing on the updated wind tunnel floor installed at Maranello in mid-2024.

While this immediate focus is necessary for staying competitive in the 2025 season, it also means that Ferrari will have to be highly strategic in managing its remaining resources for Project 678.

Project 678: Ferrari's 2026 Ambitions

Despite prioritizing the SF-25 in the short term, Ferrari remains acutely aware of the importance of the 2026 regulatory overhaul. Since his official start on October 1, 2024, Serra has assembled a specialized team focused exclusively on the development of Project 678, ensuring that work on the future car is already well underway.

Ferrari's long-term strategy hinges on a gradual shift in wind tunnel usage as the year progresses. By mid-2025, as the SF-25 reaches a more refined state and requires fewer fundamental aerodynamic updates, Ferrari will begin redirecting more wind tunnel hours toward the 2026 project.

This transition underscores the importance of laying the groundwork early while maintaining competitiveness in 2025. Although this approach involves sacrifices in the present season, Ferrari aims to position itself as a leading force under the new regulations.

A Balancing Act Shared by Rivals

Ferrari is not alone in facing this challenge—every team on the grid must navigate this delicate transition. The trade-off between immediate success and long-term competitiveness is a crucial factor shaping decisions across the paddock, with McLaren, Red Bull, and others facing similar dilemmas.

For Ferrari, this period represents more than just an engineering challenge; it is a test of strategic foresight. The team's ability to optimize ATR usage, adapt to FIA mandates, and manage its resources effectively will define its standing in both 2025 and 2026.

As the season progresses, Ferrari's emphasis will inevitably begin shifting toward Project 678. The question remains: can the Scuderia strike the right balance between its present ambitions and its future aspirations?

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