Huge Ferrari SF-25 gains discovered as secret simulator data has been….read more
Ferrari’s F1 2025 season is showing promising signs with significant improvements from their new SF-25 car. According to recent reports, the Italian team has gained a remarkable 0.4 seconds per lap over the previous year, which could prove crucial for the title hopes of both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. The SF-25 has been developed with a fresh approach, incorporating several design innovations as Ferrari aims for its first World Championship since 2008.
Following the unveiling of the SF-25 during F1’s season-launch event in London, Ferrari’s next move will be a shakedown run at their Fiorano test track. Both Hamilton and Leclerc are expected to get their first opportunity behind the wheel, with Leclerc set to drive in the morning session around 0930 local time, followed by Hamilton in the afternoon. However, the team will be limited to 100 kilometres of running during this session, ahead of the Bahrain pre-season test the following week.
This marks the beginning of what Ferrari hopes will be a competitive push for the 2025 World Championship. Despite being the last season of the current F1 regulations, Ferrari is confident in the new car’s design and performance. Team principal Fred Vasseur has described the SF-25 as a “completely new” car compared to its predecessor, the SF-24, which came very close to claiming the Constructors’ Championship in 2024. They narrowly missed out on the title, finishing just 14 points behind McLaren, who had a strong season.
Recent reports from the respected Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera have provided further insight into Ferrari’s progress, suggesting that their simulator data reveals a huge performance gain. The SF-25 is reportedly four-tenths of a second faster per lap than its predecessor. This is a substantial leap, and Ferrari’s bold upgrades could be the key to closing the gap to teams like Red Bull and McLaren, which have been dominant in recent seasons.
To illustrate this improvement, Carlos Sainz, who raced for Ferrari in 2024, qualified in third place at the season finale in Abu Dhabi, just 0.229 seconds behind polesitter Lando Norris of McLaren. If the SF-25 indeed delivers the expected 0.4-second per lap improvement, it could potentially put Ferrari on par with or ahead of McLaren, giving them a strong chance to compete for the title in 2025.
The 2025 season represents a significant opportunity for Ferrari to return to the top after years of near misses. With an impressive new car and promising early data, the SF-25 has the potential to bring Ferrari back into championship contention, making both Hamilton’s and Leclerc’s title bids more viable than ever.
