Ferrari 677 completely new, but McLaren, Red Bull and Mercedes

Ferrari 677 completely new, but McLaren, Red Bull and Mercedes als…read more

Ferrari is preparing for a major push in the 2025 Formula 1 season after narrowly missing out on the Constructors’ Championship to McLaren by just 14 points in 2024. With the addition of Lewis Hamilton to their lineup alongside Charles Leclerc, Ferrari is aiming to claim both World Championships in the final season of the ground-effect car era before the sport shifts to new regulations in 2026. Team principal Frederic Vasseur has revealed that the team’s 2025 car, the Ferrari 677, will be a completely new design, marking a departure from the SF-24, which delivered five victories in 2024.

Vasseur emphasized the importance of consistency, noting that with four teams in close competition for wins, small details would make all the difference. The decision to completely overhaul the car is significant, as many expected teams to focus primarily on refining their 2024 machines while preparing for the 2026 regulations. However, Ferrari isn’t alone in opting for bold redesigns. McLaren, Red Bull, and Mercedes have all chosen to pursue aggressive approaches, signaling an intense battle ahead in 2025.

McLaren, fresh off winning the Constructors’ title in 2024, is also aiming to push the envelope with their 2025 car. Team principal Andrea Stella revealed that McLaren’s new car will feature significant risks as they aim to maintain their competitive edge and challenge for the Drivers’ Championship. While McLaren hopes to extend its dominance, Stella acknowledged that the battle will remain fierce among the four leading teams.

Red Bull is facing a crucial season as well, with their RB21 marking the first car in nearly two decades not to feature input from legendary designer Adrian Newey, who has moved to Aston Martin. Under the leadership of Pierre Waché and Enrico Balbo, Red Bull aims to address the weaknesses of the RB20, which lost its technical advantage toward the end of 2024. Max Verstappen managed to secure two wins in the final four races of 2024, but he has made it clear that a fresh car concept is essential to restoring their advantage. Despite Newey’s departure, Red Bull’s aerodynamic team is confident that their new design will be competitive, focusing on a more streamlined cooling system and other innovations aimed at maximizing Verstappen’s title chances.

Mercedes, on the other hand, is hoping that structural changes will help reverse their fortunes after a disappointing 2024 campaign with the W15, which struggled with inconsistency. To address this, Mercedes has brought in Simone Resta, who was initially focused on the 2026 car, to work alongside technical director James Allison on the 2025 model. Resta’s shift in focus is a key part of Mercedes’ strategy to improve their performance. The team is also dealing with the departure of Loic Serra to Ferrari, which will only heighten the competition between the two rivals.

Ferrari’s new car will feature several innovative changes, including a redesigned chassis, a pull-rod front suspension, and a shorter gearbox to facilitate a pull-rod rear suspension. These changes are aimed at improving traction and qualifying pace, aligning with McLaren’s strategy to prioritize innovation. With all four teams—Ferrari, McLaren, Red Bull, and Mercedes—pushing the limits of car design, the 2025 season is set to be one of the most thrilling in recent memory. Whether Ferrari can capitalize on their bold redesign, Red Bull can maintain its dominance without Newey, McLaren can extend its lead, or Mercedes can stage a comeback, the championship battle promises to be incredibly intense.