Ferrari sparks controversy with key change to Lewis Hamilton's new SF-25 car
Yesterday at 03:28 PM
Ferrari have completed the first laps of their 2025 F1 car, the SF-25, ahead of pre-season testing in Bahrain, with both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc taking turns on track at Fiorano. This marks an important step for the Scuderia as they fine-tune their new car in preparation for the upcoming season.
Formula 1 will only have one official winter test before the season kicks off at the Australian Grand Prix on March 16, 2025. All 10 teams will gather in Bahrain from February 26-28 to test their latest machines. With the season fast approaching, many teams, including Ferrari, have opted to stage shakedown runs at their home bases. Ferrari held a filming day at their historic Fiorano test track this past Wednesday. Charles Leclerc was the first to take the SF-25 for a spin in the morning, followed by Lewis Hamilton in the afternoon, after joining Ferrari from Mercedes for this new chapter in his career.
In the SF-25, Hamilton was 0.8 seconds slower than Charles Leclerc during their runs at Fiorano, with both drivers enjoying smooth laps in the new car. The 40-year-old Hamilton is still adapting to life at Ferrari, especially after spending his entire F1 career with Mercedes, using their power unit since his debut in 2007.
The successful laps by both drivers provided over 5,000 fans with the opportunity to get a glimpse of Ferrari’s major updates compared to their 2024 car, the SF-24. Among these changes, Ferrari's new front suspension design is causing significant buzz and controversy, according to reports from F1-Insider.
Ferrari have completely redesigned their front suspension for the SF-25, making the switch from the traditional push-rod configuration to a pull-rod system. While both setups provide similar mechanical advantages, the pull-rod configuration offers better control over the car’s ride height and front-end responsiveness, making it an attractive option for teams seeking precision in handling.
Loic Serra, Ferrari's chassis technical director, who moved from Mercedes to Ferrari alongside Lewis Hamilton, believes the shift to pull-rod suspension is crucial for the SF-25's continued development. Serra noted that this change was necessary as Ferrari had reached the aerodynamic limits of the push-rod setup. With this new suspension system, Ferrari now has the flexibility to further upgrade the SF-25, improving its performance and adaptability for the challenges of the 2025 season.
Loic Serra noted after Ferrari's shakedown at Fiorano, as reported by F1-Insider, that they had reached a limit with the old concept and that the new solutions provided more scope for future developments.
The transition from push-rod to pull-rod suspension is just one of the many changes Loic Serra has introduced since his move from Mercedes to Ferrari in October. Upon taking over from Enrico Cardile, Serra wasted no time in addressing the way Ferrari’s 2025 car interacts with the Pirelli tires. This adjustment has been a key focus of his strategy to improve the SF-25’s performance, ensuring that the car maximizes tire efficiency and optimizes handling for the upcoming season. Serra's swift and decisive actions have set the tone for Ferrari's technical approach as they look to enhance every aspect of their new car, especially the tire management system, which plays a crucial role in modern F1 racing.
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