Ferrari SF25: how engineers improved efficiency of 066/15 F1 Power Unit despite engine freeze
Yesterday at 02:30 PM
Ferrari is almost there. The 2025 Formula 1 season is about to begin, and as always during this time of year, one of the most interesting traditions is the first ignition of the power units. All teams do it, providing a preview of the sound of the current 1.6-liter turbo V6 engines. This process is technically known as a “fire up.” The teams share, through their official communication channels, the roar of the engines in the presence of team members, who watch with satisfaction as their efforts come to fruition with the engine mounted on the new single-seater.
This is an important and significant milestone for the teams, as it essentially marks the conclusion of the design phase of the new car. Given the development freeze on hybrid turbo engines since September 2022, as mandated by the International Federation, this ritual might seem redundant. In reality, it requires a highly complex preparation process that inevitably impacts all components of the power unit. Before igniting the engine, engineers must complete several tasks.
Among these, the most important are the examinations that technicians must carry out, checking all the parameters related to the various components of the power unit and the car. Only when all indicators meet the required criteria within the desired range is the engine started. It is a delicate yet liberating operation that officially kicks off the Formula 1 season. Among the teams that have already conducted the first test on their power unit is Ferrari, making it an idea moment for us to take a closer look at the work done by the Maranello engineers and technicians in recent months.
The Prancing Horse has followed a detailed checklist required for starting an F1 engine to prevent damage to its rotating parts and associated components. This is done while ensuring that the battery pack, namely the energy store, is fully charged before ignition. During the startup phase, the engineers’ computers are connected to the engine control unit in order to monitor the parameters of all power unit components. The next step is bringing the power unit to a specific temperature.
This occurs even before the engine starts running. The ICE, or internal combustion engine, is heated by a specially designed external pump that circulates warm coolant inside it. The reason is simple: it is necessary to prevent abrasion of the moving components. The engine is heated to about 80 degrees celsius using an external pump. At this stage, compressed air is also introduced to compensate for potential losses in the pneumatic valve system.
When both the engine and the oil have reached the optimal temperature, the engine still cannot be started because its internal components are not yet lubricated. Ferrari used an electric starter to introduce lubricant into the circuit, ensuring circulation within the internal combustion engine. This step guarantees that pistons, piston rings, bearings, connecting rods, and other internal elements are covered with a thin layer of oil. Once the operating temperatures and pressures were optimal, the V6 engine of the Ferrari roared to life, delighting the ears of those present at the sporting headquarters.
The all-red Formula 1 engine was started using a simple and practical starter motor under the close supervision of experts led by Italian engineer Enrico Gualtieri, who is currently serving as head of power unit for Scuderia Ferrari. The Italian engineer meticulously monitored the entire procedure to achieve the set objective. The engine idled—one only needs to listen to the audio released on Ferrari’s social media channels to confirm this. It ran at around 3,000–4,000 rpm. The water temperature initially dropped to 60 degrees celsius (due to circulation in the cooling system) before quickly rising back to approximately 80 degrees celsius within a few seconds.
Attentive readers will have noticed the new designation of the Italian engine. According to information reported by various well-trusted Italian news media outlets, the power unit homologated for the 2025 Formula 1 racing season should be named 066/15. This is the last power unit from the Italian team before the technical revolution that will drastically change engine architecture starting from the 2026 F1 season. The strict regulations imposed by the governing body have frozen the development of the core components of hybrid turbo units.
Nevertheless, the set of modifications allowed by the regulations includes several aspects—secondary, perhaps, but still capable of improving engine performance, both technically and in terms of efficiency and reliability. Some strategic adjustments can also influence the aerodynamic setup of the project. From what we know, Ferrari has carried out precise fine-tuning on various elements, with the clear goal of making the power unit that will drive the two SF-25 cars in the upcoming world championship even more effective.
Ferrari has modified some external components related to the temperature management system—an area where the Maranello team realized it could extract additional performance potential, also considering the new aerodynamic configuration of the car. Like other parts of the vehicle, the Italian team has worked hard to refine its strengths, and the 066/15 power unit will be one of them. After all, we know how much of a difference an engine can make in terms of qualifying performance, with a power boost, or over a 300 kilometer race distance through improved efficiency and reduced fuel consumption.
— see video above —
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