Ferrari Set to Halt SF-25 Upgrades Amid St...read more

Ferrari Set to Halt SF-25 Upgrades Amid St…read more

Ferrari is reportedly preparing to halt development of their current Formula 1 car, the SF-25, later this month as the Italian team begins to shift its focus toward the future — specifically, to the 2026 season and the upcoming Project 678 car. This transition comes amid increasing pressure from new signing Lewis Hamilton, who has suggested that a strategic pivot to next year’s development could be in the team’s best long-term interest.

After finishing just behind McLaren by a mere 14 points in the 2024 Constructors’ Championship, Ferrari had high hopes for 2025. The arrival of seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes further raised expectations that Ferrari could finally break their long-standing championship drought. However, the early part of the 2025 campaign has been challenging, with the team not quite matching the pace or consistency of the front-runners, namely Red Bull and McLaren.

In response, Ferrari made several bold and unconventional changes to the SF-25 for this season, despite it being the final year under the current technical regulations. Among the most notable adjustments was the adoption of a pullrod front suspension — a concept previously favored by top teams like Red Bull and McLaren. The move represented a significant departure from Ferrari’s traditional design philosophy, underlining their commitment to extracting every possible performance gain in the short term.

However, given the growing emphasis on the major regulation overhaul coming in 2026, where cars will feature an entirely new chassis and power unit formula, Ferrari is now reassessing its priorities. Project 678, the code name for their 2026 challenger, will be developed under a radically different set of rules, meaning resources spent on refining the current SF-25 may offer diminishing returns.

Sources suggest that Hamilton, leveraging his experience and long-term vision, has been a key influence in pushing Ferrari toward this strategic pivot. His understanding of the importance of early development under new regulations, gained from years of championship contention with Mercedes, appears to be informing Ferrari’s roadmap.

The decision to wind down SF-25 development reflects Ferrari’s intent to be ahead of the curve for 2026, learning from past mistakes when rule changes caught the team on the back foot. By shifting focus now, the Scuderia aims to ensure they are better prepared when the next era of Formula 1 begins — a move that could ultimately be crucial in returning the team to title contention and helping Hamilton achieve his record-breaking eighth championship.