Ferrari is considering a change in its current push-rod suspension system to a Red Bull-inspired solution for the 2025 Formula 1 season. The Italian team has had a good start to the season, with two wins in the first eight races and currently sitting in second place in the Constructors’ Championship. In an effort to keep up with Red Bull and McLaren in the development race, Ferrari introduced a significant upgrade package at Imola last month. However, team boss Frederic Vasseur acknowledged that they are facing challenges in achieving further improvements. Vasseur explained that, with the current cost cap and regulations, upgrades are yielding smaller gains compared to two years ago due to performance convergence and a slower pace of development.
Vasseur revealed that the team in Maranello is currently working on the car for the next season. They are splitting their efforts between this project and providing updates for the SF-24.
« We have already given the green light for the 2025 car. Additionally, work has already begun some time ago on the 2026 engine, » he explained.
Regarding the chassis and aerodynamics, they can speculate some ideas, but nothing more, as there are currently no regulations in place.
Due to the diminishing returns potential under these rules, Ferrari may seek aggressive changes that would be difficult to implement during the season.
Sources have informed Autosport that Ferrari has identified certain areas where significant improvements could be made by 2025, when Hamilton will join the team from Mercedes.
These areas may include the front suspension, with reports suggesting that Ferrari is considering adopting a pull-rod suspension instead of the push-rod structure.
Tanto a McLaren quanto a Red Bull já implementaram essa solução desde a introdução das regulamentações atuais em 2022, e a Ferrari acredita que ela oferece uma clara vantagem aerodinâmica.
Isso afeta principalmente o fluxo de ar ao redor da frente do carro e os túneis de venturi no assoalho, mas exigiria uma revisão completa do chassi para ser realizada.
Quando questionado sobre a suspensão da Ferrari antes do início da temporada, o Diretor Técnico Enrico Cardile explicou: « Na realidade, nossa suspensão traseira difere um pouco em termos de distribuição dos braços superiores e inferiores em comparação com a da Red Bull, por exemplo.
« Obtivemos resultados aerodinâmicos positivos ao seguir nessa direção, e ao fazer a transição de uma suspensão pull-rod para uma push-rod, não observamos uma vantagem significativa que justificasse comprometer o peso ou a flexibilidade. Então, com base nisso, desenvolvemos nossa suspensão mantendo o mesmo layout. »
