A leap forward in speed in simulations claim an insider when describing Ferrari’s new SF-25 – Scuderia Ferrari appears to have made significant progress with its latest Formula 1 contender, the SF-25. A report from Italy suggests that the team has achieved a major breakthrough in the car’s performance compared to last season. While the actual speed of the SF-25 remains to be seen on track, early indicators from Ferrari’s simulator paint an optimistic picture.
So how fast is Ferrari’s 2025 challenger? The answer will be revealed at the official pre-season test in Bahrain at the end of February and, more definitively, at the season-opening race in Australia a few weeks later. However, if current predictions hold true, Ferrari could have closed the gap – or even surpassed – their top rivals from last season.
Ferrari’s simulation data suggests a big leap forward
According to Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Ferrari’s design philosophy for the SF-25 has paid off handsomely. The team’s simulator data reportedly shows a gain of four-tenths of a second per lap compared to the end of the 2024 season.
To put that into perspective, if Ferrari had that kind of pace last year, they would have been the strongest force on the grid, ahead of even McLaren and Red Bull. Given that Ferrari have already secured wins in 2024 and challenged for pole positions on several occasions, such an improvement would be a significant step forward.
While these figures are promising, it remains to be seen whether the simulator’s findings will translate into actual performance gains on track. Variables such as tyre degradation, race conditions and competitive improvements will ultimately determine the SF-25’s true standing.
Ferrari’s rivals also picking up speed
Ferrari’s potential power surge does not mean an easy path to dominance in 2025. Other teams have been working hard over the winter break to close the gap and refine their cars.
McLaren, for example, have already hinted at significant improvements with their new MCL39. Team Principal Zak Brown has indicated that McLaren’s new car is faster than last year’s model, with further development avenues still being explored. This suggests that McLaren will continue to be a serious contender for race wins and podiums.
Meanwhile, Red Bull is expected to remain a powerhouse, despite internal challenges such as leadership disputes and ongoing technical adjustments. The reigning champions have historically set the benchmark for performance improvements, and with the continued influence of Adrian Newey, their 2025 car is unlikely to be anything but competitive.
Mercedes is another team to watch closely. After a disappointing 2024 season by their standards, the Silver Arrows are rumoured to have made radical design changes. With Lewis Hamilton set to leave the team at the end of the season, Mercedes will be looking to bounce back with a strong package.
All eyes will be on the Bahrain pre-season test, particularly on 28 February – the final day of testing – when teams traditionally push their cars to the limit to gauge their raw power. From there, the true pecking order will become clearer when the season officially begins in Melbourne on 14 March.
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Ferrari’s secretive approach: Keeping rivals in the dark
As well as making headlines for its planned speed gains, Ferrari is also making headlines for its strategic secrecy. The Italian team recently unveiled the SF-25 in London, where it showcased its 2025 driver line-up and the car’s updated livery. However, eagle-eyed fans and analysts quickly noticed that Ferrari had deliberately hidden a key detail from its official images.
In a move that suggests concern about possible espionage, Ferrari edited out certain elements of the SF-25’s new suspension in the promotional images posted on social media. The team’s decision to airbrush out key components suggests an effort to keep its innovations under wraps for as long as possible.
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It seems that Ferrari is particularly keen to keep its new suspension design a secret until the last possible moment. While most aspects of the SF-25 are clearly visible in the images released, the suspension components have been conspicuously altered or obscured.
This raises the question of what exactly Ferrari is trying to hide. Could the team have developed an innovative suspension concept that provides a significant aerodynamic or mechanical advantage? If so, the team’s rivals will undoubtedly be keen to analyse it when the car hits the track in Bahrain.
Despite the secrecy, Ferrari will not be able to keep its design under wraps for long. The SF-25 will make its on-track debut during the team’s first shakedown at Maranello, with the full reveal coming during pre-season testing. At that point, engineers from rival teams will have the opportunity to scrutinise the car’s suspension and determine whether it represents a game-changing innovation.
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Final touches before the season opener
While teams can still make changes to their cars after testing, it is unlikely that any significant updates will be made before the first race in Australia. The short turnaround time between testing and the opening round means that any major adjustments will have to wait until later in the season.
For Ferrari, the main focus will be on verifying that the simulator data matches the performance on the track. If the SF-25 delivers on its promise, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz – or potentially another driver if a mid-season shake-up occurs – could find themselves in the thick of the title fight.
However, if the team suffers unexpected setbacks, adjustments will have to be made quickly. The first few races of the season will be crucial in determining whether Ferrari’s 2025 challenger is truly capable of challenging for the championship.
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The countdown to the 2025 season begins
With just weeks to go until the start of the new Formula One season, the excitement surrounding Ferrari’s SF-25 is building. The team’s simulator results suggest a real leap forward, but only time will tell if this translates into a competitive advantage on the grid.
All questions will be answered on 26 February, when pre-season testing begins in Bahrain. Until then, Ferrari’s rivals will be watching every move the Scuderia makes, both on and off the track.
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At the first ever combined F1 launch in London’s O2 arena, Ferrari’s Fred Vasseur, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton were in perfect harmony. Despite Hamilton claiming he was there to win an eighth title, Leclerc was more diplomatic stating that he and Lewis would be doing their “best for the team.”
Yet how long will the love in between a driver who is desperate to claim his first F1 drivers’ title and the other who desperately wants to beat Michael Schumacher’s total of seven actually last?
Leclerc had told assembled media before the curtain raiser that he believed the Ferrari driver combination would in fact be a good thing. “Something I noticed we have a very similar driving style,” said the Monegasque. “We will need similar things from the car at least. This is my initial feeling,” Leclerc added. “It’s still to be confirmed because we haven’t driven that much together. But the little I’ve seen is that we tend to drive quite, quite similarly.”….. READ MORE ON THIS STORY
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
