In view of the arrival of Lewis Hamilton in 2025 Ferrari could radically change the basis of the SF-24 project, not by choosing a simple evolution, but by changing one of the most important elements, namely the suspension.
The fight with Red Bull and McLaren is played out in the details
The last three races have reignited the fight at the top, with Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari within a few tenths. Of the three, Red Bull is undoubtedly the one in most difficulty, coming off two seasons of almost absolute domination. McLaren and Ferrari have become closer, improving race after race also thanks to the arrival of the first updates. The next events in Canada, but above all in Spain, will be able to give us more information regarding the current state of the single-seaters and the values on the track.
Although Ferrari has demonstrated that it is comfortable with the package brought, Team Principal Frederic Vasseur admitted the difficulties in continuing with such an intense program relating to updates. Also considering that these are limited by the Budget Cap. We will therefore not see, at least from Ferrari, any major updates until the Silverstone Grand Prix. Which means that the team will have to try to capitalize as much as possible with the tools available.
Is Ferrari thinking about 2025, and about new suspensions?
Although the season is still long, work on next year's car has already begun. In fact, Vasseur stated that there are several projects underway in Maranello. “Part of the team is working on the next updates that we will see during this season, and another is already focused on next year's single-seater. We have already given the green light to the 2025 car. Furthermore, work on the Power Unit 2026 has already started some time ago. As far as chassis and aerodynamics are concerned, we can hypothesize some concepts but nothing more given that there are no regulations yet."
Having a limited vision for this season, Ferrari therefore already wants to move forward with the work for 2025, in order to also maintain an advantage over Red Bull and McLaren. As reported by Motorsport.com sources assured that the team would including key concepts that could bring advantages for the 2025 car and make a big difference in the tough fight with Red Bull and McLaren.
The most radical change could be the early move in 2025 to the pull-rod front suspension adopted by Red Bull but also by McLaren. In fact, this change would require a completely new chassis, but it would open many doors to try to unlock unexplored potential, gaining in every area.
The reason that led Ferrari not to change direction in recent years was explained at the beginning of the year by the Technical Director, Enrico Cardile: "Our rear suspension is a little different in terms of distribution of the upper and lower wishbones compared to the of Red Bull. We have recorded good aerodynamic results going in this direction and in the transition from pull-rod to push-rod we have not measured a great advantage enough to justify any compromise in terms of weight or compliance. Then, from there, we evolved our suspension, keeping the same layout.”
