Ferrari’s latest F1 challenger, the SF-25, has created a storm of excitement after recent test results leaked, suggesting a radical transformation that could put the Scuderia back at the forefront of the championship battle. With Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton both getting their first taste of the almost brand new machine, early feedback from the Maranello camp has been overwhelmingly positive, fuelling speculation that Ferrari may have finally cracked the code for a title contender.
During a recent shakedown at Fiorano, Leclerc completed 100 kilometres of testing, offering his first impressions of the car’s handling and balance. The Monegasque driver was reportedly optimistic about the SF-25’s behaviour, noting significant improvements over its predecessor. In the afternoon session, Hamilton took the wheel for an extended 200-kilometre lap, further underlining Ferrari’s commitment to ensuring both drivers are fully integrated into the new car ahead of the 2025 season. The strategic move signals a major shift in Ferrari’s approach, one that emphasises the equal treatment of its star-studded lineup and maximises insights into the performance of both competitors.
What makes the SF-25 particularly intriguing is its near-total redesign: just 1% of its components remain unchanged from last season’s car. Under new management, including chassis technical director Loïc Serra, Ferrari has made aggressive changes, including a move to a pull-rod front suspension, a concept borrowed from McLaren and Red Bull. Updated aerodynamics, redesigned sidepods and a new rear wing structure further signal a departure from Ferrari’s traditional design philosophy in pursuit of greater performance. While on the surface these changes may not seem revolutionary, underlying tweaks to mechanical geometry and aerodynamic flow management suggest a fundamentally different driving experience.
For Hamilton, this marks the start of a much-anticipated new chapter. The seven-time world champion has spoken glowingly of his integration into the team, describing Ferrari’s passion and dedication as “incredible.” His enthusiasm for the SF-25 suggests Ferrari may have delivered a car capable of challenging Red Bull’s dominance. With both drivers pushing each other to the limit, Ferrari has positioned itself as a serious contender for the 2025 season.
One of Ferrari’s biggest challenges in recent years has been inconsistency in qualifying and race pace, particularly in tyre management. The SF-25’s redesign aims to address these weaknesses, optimising its operating window to ensure greater stability over long stints. Simulator data suggests a half-second improvement over its predecessor, putting Ferrari in a competitive position against McLaren, which has also made significant strides with its MCL39. However, given Red Bull’s ability to extract maximum performance from even the third-fastest car on the grid, Ferrari’s biggest challenge may yet lie in strategic execution and development during the season.
The bigger picture for 2025 sees an increasingly competitive field, with McLaren emerging as another major threat. Their innovations, including an anti-dive front suspension and a revised chassis, could shake up the status quo and challenge Ferrari for second place behind Red Bull. However, Ferrari’s decision to invest heavily in the SF-25 rather than focus solely on the upcoming 2026 regulation changes suggests they are determined to make a statement this season.
With Leclerc and Hamilton aligned in their feedback, favoring more aggressive cornering and improved front-end behavior, Ferrari could finally have a car that suits both their driving styles. The real test, however, will come when the season gets underway in Bahrain. If the SF-25 lives up to expectations, Ferrari could be set for one of its most competitive campaigns since its last championship triumph in 2007.
The question remains: is this the year Ferrari finally ends its championship drought? Only time will tell, but early signs suggest the Prancing Horse could be ready to charge again
